msTOK.'Z" 



Towr\ of Gfafdtiei' 



WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS. 



FROM THE INCOliPORATION, JUNE 27, 1785, 
TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



By Rev. Wm. D. Herrick. 



"That the generations to come might know them, even the children which 
should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children." 

— Psalm Ixxviii : 6. 



J^o.JMlf 



A^ 



GARDNER, MASS. : 
, Published by the Committee. 

1878. 



F74- 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1878, by 

WM. D. HERRICK, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress at "Washington. 



GARDNER, MASS.: 

PRINTED BY A. G. BUSHNELL &. COMPANY, AT THE ^FICE OP 

THE GARDNER NEWS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In introducing this work, to the public, some explanation, 
regarding its origin and authorship, is required. It Avill be re- 
membered that, early in the year 1876, Congress recommended 
to all the towns, in the Union the celebration of the hundredth 
auniversar}' of our nation's independence, by appropriate public 
exercises, among which should be an historical address, a copy 
of Avhich, should be deposited, in the nation's archives, at 
Washington. 

Stirred by the spirit of '76, so greatly revived, at that time, 
all over our land, the people of Gardner assembled in the 
Town Hall, on the evening of June 12th, to consider measures 
for carrying into effect this recommendation of Congress. A 
general committee of arrangements was chosen, who furnished 
an appropriate order of exercises for the day, which consisted, 
in firing a hundred guns, at sunrise, on Bickford Hill, also a pro- 
cession, which was formed, at South Gardner, and marching 
through the principal streets, terminated at Crystal Lake Grove, 
where an historical address was delivered, by the author of this 
work. This arrangement was successfully carried out, the day 
being fine, the procession large, and the closing scenes of 
fireworks, on Bickford Hill, brilliant and beautiful. For this 
celebration the town appropriated five hundred dollars. 

In preparing the historical address, which was not wholly 
delivered on that occasion, for want of time, the author became 
greatly interested in the records of this town, which, in his 
judgment, ought to be published, in the form of a town histor3\ 
Acting under this conviction, he caused an article to be inserted 



iv INTR OD UOTION. 

in the town warrant, for the following March meeting: "To 
see if the town will take any measures, in relation to publish- 
ing a histor}'' of the town of Gardner, act or transact anything 
relating thereto." Acting under this article, the town chose a 
committee of five, consisting of Messrs. Thos. E. Glazier, W. 
D. Herrick, Francis Richardson, Asaph Wood and John M. 
Moore, who should report at the AjDril meeting. This committee 
made the following report, which the town voted to accept and 
adopt : — 

Fellow Citizens: Your committee, to whom was assigned 
the duty of considering and recommending some plan upon 
which the history of this town shall be written, ask permission 
to present the following, as their report : — 

Having consulted those who have had experience, in writing 
the history of towns and cities, and acting upon the wisdom 
gained from them, your committee recommend, that the town 
employ a competent person to write the history of Gard- 
ner, as soon as practicable ; that this person publish an edition 
of eight hundred copies, octavo, which can be done at a probable 
cost of three dollars per volume ; that the town, at its own 
expense, furnish the author of its history, a map of the town 
and pictures of such public buildings and objects of general 
interest, as a committee chosen to superintend the publication 
of such a history, may think proper to insert. And that the 
town subscribe for two hundred copies of said history, at a sum 
not exceeding three dollars per volume, to be kept on sale by 
the town clerk, for the benefit of the town's treasury ; no copy 
of said history to be sold, by the clerk, to any citizen of Gard- 
ner, until the author has made a thorough canvass of the town, 
in his own behalf. That individuals and societies furnish, at 
their own expense, such pictures of houses, shops, churches, 
etc., as they may desire to see in such a work, the admission of 
which, to be at the discretion of the committee of publication. 

The town then " Voted, To choose a committee of three, 
who shall have the charge of procuring a history of Gardner, 



INTRODUCTION. v 

by a competent author, and that the town become a subscriber 
for two hundred copies of said history, at a sum not exceeding 
three dollars per volume, and that said committee shall be 
authorized to incur such additional expense, as a map of the 
town and the pictures of such public buildings and places as they 
think advisable to insert, may require. Chose Thomas E. Gla- 
zier, Rev. W. D. Herrick, John M. Moore." 

This committee began immediately to attend to the duties 
assigned them by the town. Correspondence was held, with 
some who had had large experience, in writing town histories, 
but no definite arrangements were entered into, with any one, 
till last October, when the author, who had Ijeen laid aside, 
from his pastoral duties, by sickness, for three months previous 
to September, 1877, was strongly urged, by some of his friends, 
to undertake the work. Ill health and distrust of his ability, 
made him reluctant to assume so great a task, in addition to 
his regular pastoral labors. 

At length, " by fair persuasion, mixed with sugared words," 
he consented, on certain conditions, to yield his own judgment 
to the wishes of others. Had he thought such an event as the 
writing of the town's history by him, possible, not unmindful 
of the experience of Haman, he would most certainly not have 
been as active as he was, in inducing the town to have its history 
written. 

The conditions, above alluded to, were these : That Mr. T. 
E. Glazier, who was greatly interested in the matter, should aid 
the author, in procuring necessary statistics and facts, and 
should be responsible for the entire preparation of the chap- 
ters entitled, " Memorable Events," " Genealogy of the Early 
Families of Gardner," and the chapter on " Military Affairs." 

To this gentleman, always, from early years, greatly inter- 
ested in the welfare of his native town, and who about twenty 
years since, aided his venerable father, in preparing a small 
history of Gardner, we cheerfully and cordially accord the 
credit and responsibility, attending the authorship of the three 
chapters, in this work, above named. 



vi INTRODUCTION. 

The Muthor is also most happy to accord to his wife — a help- 
meet indeed — the credit of invaluable assistance, in the prep- 
aration of this work. To her belongs the credit of writing the 
subdivision of Chapter II., entitled " Scenic Attractions," as 
well as that part in Chapter X., entitled " The Murphy Move- 
ment." 

The author also takes pleasure in acknowledging the valuable 
assistance rendered him, in copying and proof reading, by Mr. 
George F. Peabody, 2d, a young gentleman of this town, who 
has, for the last three years, been engaged in the study of law, 
and is about to be admitted to the bar. 

To all these friends and to all others, to whom the author is 
indebted for aid in this work, most cordial thanks are publicly 
extended. 

When it is remembered, that this work was begun, about the 
middle of November last, and has been carried forward, by the 
author, without any remission of his pulpit, or pastoral duties, 
till its completion, at the present date — less than eight months — 
an apology for imperfection and marks of haste, will not be re- 
garded as out of place. In this regard, the advice of Horace 
to authors, to keep their writings nine years, before publishing 
them, is most recklessly disregarded. 

It should be stated, that the committee, early inserted in the 
Gardner News, an invitation, to all individuals and religious 
societies, to present such pictures as they might wish to accom- 
pany this work. Several responded, who are here represented 
by heliotypes, executed by the Heliotype Printing Company of 
Boston. It is due to the author to state, that his portrait is in- 
serted, in this work through the desire and at the expense of his 
friends, to whom for their other acts of kindness, he cherishes 
sentiments of genuine gratitude. 

The maps, accompanying this work, were prepared by Mr. 
Charles J. Day, of this town, and are models of excellence, in 
his art. 

The negatives, for the heliotypes, are by Mr. William A. 
Cowee, of Gardner; the printing is by A. G. Bushnell & Co., 
of the Gardner News. 



INTRODUCTION'. vii 

In the production of this work, the author has spared uo 
pains to possess the facts, regarding which, he has written, 
while at the same time, he has sought to make the work some- 
thing more than a barren, dry restatement of town records, by 
connecting with these, events of general history, calculated to 
throw light upon more recent facts, coming under his notice. 
His object has been to make this, a book of interest, to the 
reader, by directing his mind, to events of history not only 
contemporaneous, with those connected with this town, but 
antecedent to its existence. 

The author is aware that there are several mistakes in this 
work, which he has no intention of pointing out, since the 
reader will do that without his assistance. 

If any are represented, in this history as dead, who " still 
live," we only have to say, that, the announcement need 
have no eifect, in hastening an event, which is sure to come as 
soon as they will be ready for it ; if any are said, in this work 
to be still alive who are dead, we have no fear that the state- 
ment will have the least impression upon them ; if any are 
recorded as married, who never have been, we hope that noth- 
ing here said will prevent them from verifying the record, 
we have made of them : if any are regarded as having too much, 
or too little prominence in this work, we have only to say, that 
it has been our aim to make the facts of history speak for them- 
selves, whatever their effect upon individuals. Further than 
this, we have no feeling of personal responsibility. If any have 
been omitted who should be mentioned we are sorry, for our 
neglect is wholly undesigned. 

We began this work, with no adequate idea of the im- 
mense amount of labor involved in completing it. We come 
to the end of our editorial work, with a higher appreciation of 
the fortitude and faithfulness of the founders of this town, and 
of those who have succeeded them in promoting its growth, in 
all good directions. 

We are aware that a complete index, to a work, like this, is 
a good thing, while one incomplete is only a vexation. Not 



viii IjSfTE OD UCTION. 

caring to make a full index, we have thought best to substitute 
a full table of contents instead, having carefully arranged the 
work in topical chapters. 

In conclusion, we are able, with great candor to state, that 
our ambition, for this kind of authorship, is entirely satisfied. 
We lay down our pen, upon this, our nation's natal day, with 
the most intelligent and unalterable conviction, that nothing 
but grim necessity, can ever again induce us to resume it, for 
the purpose of writing a town history. 

We would say, however, to all clergymen, who are laid aside 
from pastoral labor, through " nervous prostration" that our 
experience has taught us, that the speediest and surest way to 
regain health and forget troubles, is to engage in a work like 
this, preaching at the same time twice, on the Sabbath. They 
will find its effects more letheau than a draft of Lethe itself, and 
the greatest of all " nerve tonics," at their command. Debili- 
tated brethren, by all means, write a town history. We have 
only to say with Byron, 

"VV^hat is writ is writ, 
"Would it were worthier." 

Wm. D. Herrick. 

Congregational Parsonage, July 4th, 1878. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE TOWN CONSIDEKED AS AN INTEGRANT PART OF THE UNITED 

STATES. 

PAGK. 

Derivafion of the word Town — Remark of De Tocqiieville Concern- 
ing Political Sovereignty — Of Aristotle — Of Blackstone — De- 
Tocqueville Concerning Town Meetings — The Otficers of the 
Town — Selectmen, Their Duties and Powers — Town Clerk, 
Duties Of — Assessors, Their Duties — Town Treasurer — High- 
way Surveyors — Constables — Field Drivers — Fence Viewers — 
School Committee, Their Powers and Duties — First Town 
Meeting, in Plymouth Colony — Remark of Alexander Ham- 
ilton 1 

CHAPTER II. 

INCORPORATION AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN. 

The Petition for Incorporation, by Whom and When Presented — 
Formed from the Four Adjacent Towns — The Name, Whence 
Derived — Act of Incorporation, When Granted — The First 
Warrant, to Whom Issued — First Town Meeting, When and 
Where Held — Topography — Latitude and Longitude of the 
Town — Causes of Its Irregular Outline — Remonstrance against 
the Petition of William Whitney and Others — Scenic Attrac- 
tions — Soil, Climate — Hills, Elevations, Forests, Flora, Fauna, 
Lakes, Streams — Original Poem 26 

CHAPTER III. 

CHARACTER OF THE INHABITANTS. 

Number of Original Inhabitants — Their Scattered Condition — Hard- 
ships and Privations — The Domestic Spinning Wheel and 
Loom — Itinerant Shoemaker — Ancient Fireplace and Oven — 
West India Goods, How Received — Going to Church — Sources 
of Information — Scenes at Tavern — Social Habits^Raisings — 
May Trainings and Musters — Times of General Excitement — 
Habits of Industry — Spirit ot Independence — Growth of Pop- 



56 



CONTENTS. 



Illation, in Decades — English Descent — Irish and French — 
Elegant Residences — Neat Irish Homes — Town Hall — Pecu- 
niary Reverses — Self Developed Wealth — Valuation in 1877. 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE TOWN AS CONNECTED WITH NATIONAL AND STATE AFFAIRS 
shays' REBELLION. 

Baneful Effects of the Revolutionary War — Depreciated Currency 
— Letter of John Adams, Concerning Prices Current — Wag- 
gish Advertisement — Numerous Suits at Law — Numerous Pe- 
titions for Abatement of Taxes — Popular Estimation of Gov- 
ernment Responsibility — Spirit of Discontent Everywhere Rife 
— County Conventions to Consider Grievances — Spirit of Man- 
hood — Regulators — Captain Shattuck — Convention at Paxton 
— Instructions to Capt. Samuel Kelton — Petition to Governor 
Bowdoiu — Shays' Rebellion — History of the Insurrection in 
Massachusetts, by William L. Smith, P^sq. — Embargo of 1807, 
Causes Of — Inconvenience to the People of Gardner — Petition 
to the President of the United States, in Consequence of the 
Embargo 72 

CHAPTER V. 

roads. 
Early Mode of Travel — Gibbons' Account of Roman Roads — Ma- 
caulay's Account of Roads in England, in the 17th Century-^ — 
Roads in the Early Colonies^ in 1634 and Following — Early 
Roads of this Town — Petition to lay County Road Through 
the Centre of the Town — Roads Laid Out in 1786 — Petition of 
Seth Heywood — Petition of the Town Concerning Road over 
Kendall Hill — Opening of Different Roads and Streets — Nam- 
ing of Different Roads and Streets — Turnpike — Condition of 
Roads in Switzerland 108 

CHAPTER VI. 

railroads. 
Inconvenience of Travel, at the Beginning of the Present Century, 
and for Many Years Subsequent — Journey of Elkanah Watson 
in 1777 — P^zra Lunt's Advertisement — Semi-Weekly Stage be- 
tween Boston and New York — Imperfect Condition of the 
Postal System — Letters to the Army, 1778 — Gradual Disap- 
pearance of Postal Inconveniences — First Railroad in the United 
States — Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, When Incor- 
porated — Hon. Alvah Crocker, His Attempts to Prevent this 
Road's Running through Gardner — How Thwarted — Repeated 
Legislation — Final Location — Boston, Barre and Gardner Rail- 



CONTENTS. xi 

PAGE. 

road — Original Charter, When Granted — Repeatedly Located 
— When Built to Gardner — Opposition to its Extension to Win- 
chendon — Excited Town Meetings — Final Triumph in the Leo-- 
islature — When Completed to Winchendon — Running of the 
First Train to Winchendon 135 

CHAPTER VII. 

INDUSTRIES. 

Remarks Concerning the Importance of Steady Toil — Proverbs Con- 
cerning Labor — Remark of Sidney Smith — Agriculture — Prod- 
ucts Of, in Gardner — Cooperage — Chair Manufacturing — An- 
cient Furniture among the Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks and 
Romans — Furniture used by the Colonists, Imported — Enor- 
mous Manufacture of Cane Seated Chairs — Commencement of 
Chair Making in Gardner — Simplicity of Machinery nsed at 
First — Origin of the Different Chair Firms — Names of Present 
Chair Firms — Annual Amount of Business, etc. — Mode of 
Manufacturing Chairs — Different Machines Used — Automatic 
Channeling Machine Described — Crimping Press — Spline and 
Embossing Press — Mode of Inserting the Woven Seat — Cane 
Department of Heywood Bros. & Co. — Cane, How Prepared 
— Rattan Chairs — Foundry, Where Located — Amount of Busi- 
ness Done — Tubs and Pails — Manufacture of Lumber — Doll 
Toy Carriages, Chamber Sets, etc. — Eave Troughs — Furni- 
ture Dealers — Spring Beds — Tin Ware — Hardware — Brick — 
Grist Mill — Marblp Works — Wheelwrights — Blacksmiths — 
Painters — Harness Makers — Carpenters — Masons — Jewellers 
— Civil Engineers — Surveyors of Land— Photographers — En- 
gravers of Wood and Metals — Floriculture — Dealers in Coal 
and Lumber — Dry Goods and Groceries — Meat Markets — 
Dry Goods — Millinery — Fancy Goods — Clothing Stores — Mer- 
chant Tailors — Dealers in Boots and Shoes— Drugs and Medi- 
cines — First National Bank — Savings Bank — Post Offices — 
Printing — The Gardner News 151) 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Governors — Representatives — Town Officers — Justices of the Peace 

etc 200 

CHAPTER IX. 

CARE OF THE POOR. 

A Dictate of Humanity — Instances from the Bible — Mendicants 
Divided into Two Classes, the Settled Poor and the Vagrants 
— How Treated in the Reign of Henry VIII. and Previously — 
Act for the Suppression of Vagrancy in 1531 — Severe Punish- 
ment of "Sturdy Mendicants" — Treatment of the Poor in the 



xii CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Early Colonies — Legislation of Plymouth and Massachusetts 
Colonies, Concerning Vagrancy — Instance of Warning Recent 
Settlers out of Towd, by the Selectmen of Gardner — Improved 
Condition of Workingmen in England — Instances of their Mode 
of Living — Vagrancy Fostered by Indiscriminate Almsgiving — 
Remarks of Mr. Lambert, Poor Law Inspector, in England — 
Early Method of Caring for the Poor, in this Town — Vendu- 
ing Them to the Lowest Bidder, at the Annual Town Meeting 
— Purchase of AVork House, in 1S49 — Rules and Regulations 
for the Government of the Work Mouse — Size of the Town 
Farm — Cost of Supporting the Poor, Aunually, Since 1860 — 
Names of Masters of the Work House 218 

CHAPTER X. 

VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. 

Military — Gardner Light Infantry — Gardner Grays — G. D. Far- 
ragut Post No. 116, G. A. R.— Hope Lodge — Odd Fellows — 
Hibernians — Fire Department — -Cataract No. 1 — Constitution 
and By-Laws — Prizes — Torrent No. 2 — Constitution and By- 
Laws — Prizes — Special Rules and Regulations of the Fire De- 
partment — Rules for Fire Alarms — Firemen's Muster, in Gard- 
ner, September .5th, 1877 — Driving Park — Rifle Club — Steam- 
boat Company — Sovereigns of Industry — Musical Associations 
— Bands — Worcester North Musical Association — Constitution 
— Young Men's Christian Association — Temperance Organiza- 
tions — Temperance Legislation in the Plymouth and Massachu- 
setts Colonies — Formation of the First Temperance Organiza- 
tion, in 1808 — Gardner Temperance Society, When F'ormed, 
Constitution — Washington Total Abstinence Society, Constitu- 
tion, By-Laws — Gardner Temperance Society, When Reformed 
— Seizure of Liquors, Account of, in Boston Times — Sons of 
Temperance — Philokalia Lodge — Reform Club — Women's 
Christian Temperance Unions — Temperance League — The 
Murphy Movement — Repeated Efforts to Expel the Liquor 
Traffic — Present Licehses 244 

CHAPTER XI. 

CEMETERIES. 

Derivation of the Word Cemetery — Custom of Burying the Dead 
Among Ancients — Town Burying Yard — Vote to Purchase 
Land of Seth Hey wood in 1785 — Additional Purchase in 1806 
— Deed for the Same — Hearses — South Gardner Green Bow- 
er Cemetery — By-Laws — Crystal Lake Cemetery — Rules and 
Regulations 288 

CHAPTER XII. 

INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. 

Pearson Cowee — Levi Hey wood — ^Gardner A. Watkius — Description 



C0NTENT8. xiii 

PAGE. 

of the Splicing Machine — Power Loom, for Weaving Chair 
Seats, etc. — Samuel L. Fitts — Frank F. Parker — George W. 
Parker — Quotation from Lord Bacon, Concerning Inventions 
and Inventors. . . . • 299 

CHAPTER XIII. 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 

Quotation from Prof. Read of Philadelphia — Once a Small Public 
Library at the Centre — The Absence of a Public Library a 
Serious Defect — South Gardner Social Library Association — 
Legacy of Abijah M. Severy — The Severy Will — Contents of 
this Library — Number of Shares 315 

CHAPTER XIV. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS. 

Fires and Injuries by Lightning, etc. — Casualties — Small Pox — 
Suicide — Murders — List of Persons who have Died in this 
Town Over Eighty Years of Age 320 

CHAPTER XV. 

GENEALOGY OF THE EARLY FAMILIES OF GARDNER. 

The names of the families, in this chapter, are arranged alphabeti- 
cally, for the convenience of the reader, so that they need not 
be repeated, under this heading. 329 

CHAPTER XVI. 

BIOGRAPHIC. 

Resident Physicians — Physicians Formerly Resident Here — Den- 
tists- -Attorneys and Counsellors at Law — Graduates — Men of 
Note — Names of Young Men now Pursuing a Course of Ed- 
ucation, in Different Colleges and Schools 394 

CHAPTER XVII. 

MILITARY AFFAIRS. 

Names of Revolutionary Soldiers — Gardner in the War for the 
Union — Causes of Our Civil War — General Excitement in 
Gardner, on Receiving news irom Fort Sumpter — Seventy-five 
Thousand Volunteers Called For — Gardner's First Town Meet- 
ing, to Provide Volunteers — Subsequent Votes — Number of 
Enlistments — ^Tables Showing the Name, Age at the Time of 
Enlistment, etc., of Every Man who Entered the Service — 
Cost of the War, to the Town in Money — Names of those 
who were Killed or Died in the Service 416 

CHAPTER XVIIL 

SCHOOLS. 

Origin of the Common School System — Public Schools in the 



xiv CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies — Schools the Outgrowth 
of the College — Remaik of Pres. J. H. Seelye of Amherst 
College — First Division of the Town into Districts — Vote to 
Squadron out the Town — When School Houses were First 
Built in Town- — How they were Located — Brief Terms of 
Schooling — Small Pay of School Teachers — Choosing a Com- 
mittee of Four to Inspect Schools, at the Opening and Close of 
Each Term, in J807 — Second Districting of the Town, in 1818 
— First Money Received from the State, for the Benefit of 
Schools, in 1808 — Abolislimcnt of the District System and In- 
auguration of Graded Schools, in 1869 — Appraisal of School 
Property — High School — P'ailure to Establish One, in 1856 
but Established in 1866--Where Located---Voted to Build a 
New High School House, in 1872 — Report of the Committee 
Chosen to Procure a Site and to Estimate the Cost — Architect 
— When the High School Building was Completed — When 
First Occupied — Description of the Building and Groimds — 
Names of Teachers — Course of Study — Ts ames of School Com- 
mittee, and Annual Appropriation, from the Incorporation of 
the Town, to the Present Date 440 

CHAPTER XIX. 

CHURCHES AND THEIR PASTORS. 

Events Preceding Flstablisliment of Church and Ministry of this 
Town — Remarks of D'Aubigne Concerning the Study of Great 
Things in Small— His Remarks Concerning Calvin as the 
Father of Ameiican Liberty, Civil and Religious — Martyrs of 
the Sixteenth Century — Formation of a Church of Separatists 
at Scrooby — Sailing of the Mayflower from South Hampton — 
Plantation Religious — Worldly Gain not the End of the Peo- 
ple of New England, but Religion — Language of Increase 
Mather Concerning the Pilgrims — Of Hubbard — Judgment of 
Bancroft — Humanity's Rights Recovered in the Cabin of the 
Mayflower — Reasons for Union of Church and State in the 
Colonies — Strong Colonial Government Necessary— The Con- 
gregational tlie Established Church — Every Man Obliged to 
• Contribute to Its Support — Subsequently Modified — Voluntary 
System Adopted in 1833 — Gospel Preaching Required by Law 
— Character of New England Ministry — Rev. Jonathan May- 
hew, Author of '• Committee of Correspondence" — First Parish 
and Church Till 1867 — Early Action of the Town in Building 
Their First Meeting-house — Voted to Build — Condition of Sale 
of Timber and Stuff" — Schedule — Digging the Trench and Pro- 
viding Underpinning — Nails Bought with Butter — The Raising 
—-The Sale of Pews — Finishing the Inside of the Meeting- 
house — Color of the Meeting-house — Repairs of the Meeting- 



CONTENTS. XV 

PAGE. 

house in 1845 — Conditions of Repair-— Occupied till May 1st, 
1867 — Vote Concerning the Bass Viol in the Old Church — 
First Congregational Church When Formed — Covenant— Hir- 
ing of Preaching in 1785 — Call of a Pastor — Proposed Salary 
— Call to Jonathan Osgood, July 21st, 1781 — Conditions of 
Settlement and Salary — Installation — Character of Mr. Os- 
good — Call to Mr. Lincoln — Sketch of Mr. Lincoln — His Dis- 
mission from the First Cliurch — Mr. Farr — Mr. Cutler — At- 
tempt at Union in 1846 — Mr. Fish — Mr. Bannister — Call Ex- 
tended to Mr. Paine in 1817 — When Dismissed — Call to Mr. 
Herrick — When Dismissed — Evangelical Congregational So- 
ciety and Church — From 1830 to 1867 — Constitution of the 
Society — Building of the New Church — Abandonment of the 
Old Church, and Occupation of the New One Erected in 1856 
— Movement for Uniting the Two Societies in 1867 — Terms of 
Union — United April 18th, 1867 — Evangelical Congregational 
Church Formed in 1830 — Its Pastors — Votes of the Church Re- 
garding Slavery — First Congregational Church and Society 
Since 1867 — Conditions Upon Which the Two Churches Unit- 
ed — Pastors of the United Church — Erection of a Parsonage 
— Vote to Build a New Church — Description of the New 
Church — The Baptist Society and Church — Formation of the 
Society in 1828 — Building of the Church in 1833 — Repaired 
in 1872 — Funds of the Society — Baptist Church When Formed 
--Names of Pastors and Terms of Service — Catholic Church 
— When Organized — Extent of the Parish — Building of the 
New Church — Names of the Pastors — Universalist Church — • 
When Founded — Preamble — Church Organization — Covenant 
— Building of the New Church — When Dedicated — Sketch of 
Pastors — Methodist Episcopal Church — Outcome From First 
Congregational Church — Letter of Mr. Osgood to Mr. Stone 
— Lorenzo Dow — Society Existed in 1800 — Revival in 1827 — 
Society Formed in 1869 — Chapel Built on West Street — New 
Edifice Dedicated August, 1877 — Its Cost, Its Dimensions — 
Sketch of Its Pasters — Final Remarks 466 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



W, D. Herrick Frontispiece. 

MAPS. 

Map of the Town Following Introductiou. 

Map of the Villages End of the Work. 

VIE]YS OF THE VILLAGES. 

FACING P^GES 

Gardner Centre and West Village (From Glazier Hill) . . 32 

South Gardner Village (From Kendall Hill) 48 

VIEWS OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC. 

Town Hall 64 

Gardner Work House 240 

High School House 456 

First Congregational Church 504 

First National Bank 192 

VIEWS OF CIIAIB F AC TOBIES. 

Chair Factory of Philander Derby 128 

Chair Factory of Hey wood Brothers & Co 176 

Paint Shop of Heywood Brothers & Co 184 

PBIVA TE BESIDENCES. 

Residence of Levi Heywood 144 

Residence of S. K. Pierce 168 

Residence of Philander Derby 280 

Residence of Seth Heywood 328 

FOB TB AITS. 

Philander Derby 160 

Levi Heywood 304 

David Parker, M. D 400 

Thomas P^. Glazier 416 

John M. Moore 440 

Sylvester K. Pierce 45(5 



History of Gardner. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE TOWN CONSIDERED AS AN INTEGRANT PART OF THE 
UNITED STATES. 

"God made the coiuitiy and man made the town."' — Cowper's Task. 

/TV HERE is much wisdom embodied in the saying of Avis- 
JL totle, "that tlie nature of everytliing is best seen in its 
smallest portions." This wisdom is applicable to all who are 
seeking for ti correct understanding of the principles upon 
which the government of these United States, and the execution 
of its laws, is based. It is natural for us to inquire into the 
causes of things, to seek for the source and hidden depths out 
of which spring those events, which arrest attention and deter- 
mine the condition of society for succeeding ages. Kane, en- 
during the rigors of an Arctic winter, in search of an open 
Polar Sea, Livingston and Stanley, hunting, amid the dangers 
of African exploration, for the sources of the Nile, are fit illus- 
trations of a desire in man to make himself familiar with the 
orioin of thinos. Hence it is, that the student of our United 
States government, must not content himself in merely viewing 
it as a central organization, whose power, through its Chief 
Executive, is felt to the remotest parts of the nation ; he must 
continue his investigations till he has asce.rtained "the fons et 
origo from which this power is derived. In so dding he will be 
^led directly to the source of all power in the nation, as imma- 



2 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

iient in the sovereign people. This investigation ^vill ultimately 
lead him to a consideration of the town as an integrant portion 
of the nation. 

In his " History of New England," Mr. Palfrey remai-ks 
that " Avith something of the same propriety, with which the 
nation may be said to be a confederacy of republics, called states, 
each New England state may be described as a confederacy of 
minor republics, called towns." Tracing our nation to its ele- 
mentary sources, we reach the town,Avhose origin and functions 
are thought to be worthy of some special notice in a work like 
this. 

The word town is derived from the old English word tun, 
and this from tynan, meaning to enclose. In early times, in 
Great Britain, the word was used to denote an assemblage 
of houses having a market and surrounded by a wall. Some- 
times it denoted an enclosure, containing the homestead or 
dwelling of the lord of the manor. According to Blackstone 
the idea of the town is Saxon in its origin, and is allied to the 
Saxon word tithing, meaning, in ancient law, " a number or 
company of ten house-holders, who, dwelling near each other, 
were sureties or free pledges to the king, for the good behavior 
of each other." Whatever may have been the origin of the 
term, we find that in New England, from its first settlement, 
the town was the primary organization. Its existence, though 
somewhat peculiar to the New England States, seems to have 
been a necessity to the colonists, in order that they might more 
conveniently and securely reach the ends for which they sought 
a settlement upon these shores. No sooner had they made 
their selections of land, formed their little settlements and 
builded their rude dwellings, in convenient proximity to each 
other, than they organized themselves into an independent mu- 
nicipality, in which every citizen exercised the sovereign right 
of suifrage. 

It is worthy of remark here, that the town as an integral 
portion of the state and the republic, is an institution in great 
degree, peculiar to New England. Here the towns existed 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 3 

previous to the counties and the state. Sul^sequently the towns 
were formed into counties. But in the southern portion of the 
country there are parishes instead of towns. The town is an 
independent municipality, and is a direct result of the principle 
of pojDular sovereignty. "The doctrine of the sovereignty of 
the people," says De Tocqueville, " came out of the townships, 
and took possession of the states. Political life (in New Eng- 
land) had its origin in the townships ; and it may almost be 
said, that each of them formed an independent nation. When 
the kings of England afterwards asserted their supremacy, they 
were content to assume the central power of the state. They 
left the townships where they were before ; and although they 
are now subject to the state, they were not at first, or were 
hardly so. They did not receive their power from the central 
authority ; but on the contrary, they gave up a portion of their 
independence to the state. The townships are subordinate to 
the state, only in those interests which I shall term social, as 
they are common to all others. They are independent in all 
that concerns themselves alone ; and amongst the inhabitants of 
New England, I believe, that not a man is to be found who 
would acknowledge that the state has any right to interfere in 
their town affairs. The people reign in the American political 
world, as the Deity does in the universe. They are the cause 
and the aim of all things ; everything comes from them and 
everything is absorbed in them. 

" In America the principle of the sovereignty of the people 
is neither barren nor concealed, as it is with some other nations. 
It is recognized by the customs and proclaimed by the laws ; it 
spreads freely and arrives without impediment at its most re- 
mote consequences. If there be a country in the world where 
the doctrine of the sovereignty of the people can be fairly ap- 
preciated, where it can be studied in its application to the 
affairs of society, and where its dangers and its advantages may 
be judged, that country is America." 

From the foundation of the colonies, the social condition of the 
American people has ever been increasingly democratic. From 



4 HISTORY OF GAIW^^E1L 

the beginning, there has ever been a jealousy of superiority and 
a steadfast aiming at equality in all political rights. In New 
England, the germs of aristocracy were never planted. Farther 
south they obtained ground in the earliest history of the nation. 
It was this hatred of arrogancy of power, in New England, that 
made our fathers intolerant of all priestly domination and urged 
them to expel from their midst the representatives of the estab- 
lished church of England. In the words of Eev. John Wise 
of Ipswich, " Democracy is Christ's government in church and 
in state. The pew and the pulpit had l)een educated to self- 
government." Said Lord Chatham, in his celebrated letter to 
the king, "They left their native land in search of freedom, and 
found it in a desei't. Divided as the}' are into a thousand forms 
of policy and religion, there is one point in which they all agree; 
they equally detest the pageantr}' of a king and the supercilious 
hypocrisy of a bishop." 

Some idea of this independence of early American democracy 
may be seen in a print executed in those times, entitled " An 
attempt to land a bishop in America." The scene is at a wharf, 
at which is lyino' a vessel into whose rioo:ino; is climbino a 
bishop, clothed in his vestments, out of whose mouth are pro- 
ceeding the words, of good old Simeon, " Lord now lettest thou 
thy servant depart in peace." The colonists are represented as 
pelting him Avith works entitled, " Locke," "Sydney on Gov- 
ernment," "Calvin's Works," "Barclay's Apology," Avhile above 
their heads are floating banners surmounted by the cap of liberty 
and bearing the exclamations, " Liberty and freedom," " No 
lords spiritual or temporal in New England," " Shall they be 
obliged to maintain bishops, who cannot maintain themselves I" 
Thus with the resolute exertions of the colonists aided by pikes, 
the vessel is pushed from the wharf, on whose deck is seen the 
bishop's carriage with the wheels off: the crosier and mitre 
hanging in the rigging, while " the saint in lawn" seems quite 
glad to be put on his voyage to a land whose soil and climate are 
more congenial to the growth of bishops, than that whose 
shores he leaves behind. The motto of the colonists was, "A 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 5 

church without a bishop and a state without a king." This 
scene is introduced here to show the spirit of independence in 
which American democracy had its birth and early nurture. It 
was this love of sovereignty, this spirit of independence, and self- 
government that early manifested itself in the townships of 
New England, which began their existence as early as 1650. 
From this time forward, our fathers began most clearly to verify 
the saying of Aristotle that, "Man is by natui-e a political 
being." They possessed an independence in some degree, 
" scornful of experience and jealous of all authority." They 
began, in their New England towns, to show to the world that, 
" a democracy more perfect than antiquity had dared to dream 
of, started in full size and panoply from the midst of an ancient 
feudal society." 

It being the fact then, that American democracy had its birth 
and early development in our New England townships, it will 
be a matter of interest, to consider the town, in its corporate 
capacity, as a miniature of this great republic. In doing this, 
we shall l^ecome better acquainted with the important position 
which these little municipalities hold, and the mighty influence 
they exert in controlling the destinies of the nation, "whose 
government is of the people, by the people and /or the people." 
If then society governs " itself for itself," centering all power 
in its own bosom, there must be some well established method 
by which the sovereign will of the people shall find fitting ex- 
pression. And, since the freeman's ballot is the most approved 
method of expressing his Mill, politically, he must have some 
convenient method by Avhich to do this. He cannot visit, as 
often as his vote is sought, the capitol of the nation, or the 
state. This necessity he avoids through the provision he has 
made, for his convenience, in the laws which he has enacted for 
the government of the town. It is here, at home, and among 
his neighbors, that as often as he may be required, he exercises 
the right of suf}ra2:e. Here it is that he declares who shall fill 
the chair of the Chief Executive of the nation, for the com'ing 
four years. Here, also, he determines who shall serve him in 



6 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

the nation's house of representatives, and inclirectly through his 
representative in the state legislature, who shall occupy the 
high and responsible position of United States senator. Here, 
also, he chooses the governor of the commonwealth and all 
those officers whose election to positions of " honor and trust" 
is secured by the votes of the people. Here, also, he chooses 
the officers of the county in wdiicli his town is located. 

Tiius, within the limits of his own township, the American 
citizen wields the sovereign power by which he controls the 
destinies of the nation and the state, of which he proudly re- 
gards himself as a constituent portion. But while the Ameri- 
can citizen thus remotely and indirectly shapes the character of 
the state and national governments and their administrations, 
yet, nowhere does he exercise his power so immediately as in 
the choice he makes of town officers. In matters of state and 
national concern, he acts through those whom he chooses to 
represent him, while in the selection of town officers, the exer- 
cise of his sovereign right, as a freeman, has its immediate 
effect. 

As an individual meml)er of that great organic whole, called 
the nation, " every man," as Blackstone says, " when he enters 
into society, gives up a part of his natural liberty as the price 
of so valuable a purchase." This "giving up a part of his 
natural liberty," the American citizen cheerfully does, that he 
may aid in constituting a government which shall not only con- 
trol himself, but guarantee to him the protection of life, liberty 
and property, which find their security only in a wise and be- 
nevolent general government. " The end of the state," says 
Aristotle, " is not merely to live, but to live nobly." "The 
state," says Hegel, " is the realization of freedom and it is the 
absolute end of reason that freedom be real." The American 
citizen understands the value of free republican government, in 
which is realized the axiom, omnea Jioynines, matura oequales sunt, 
all men are by nature equal. He willingly subjects himself to 
the abridgment of his own liberty, that he may enjoy the high- 
est liberty, which is liberty under law. He believes with Mil- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 7 

ton that, " a nation onght to be as but one huge christian person- 
age, one mighty growth or stature of an honest man, as big and 
compact in virtue as in body, for look, what the ground and 
causes are of single happiness to one man, the same ye shall 
find them to a w4iole state ;" or as Burke says, " The state 
ought not to be considered as a partnership agreement to be 
taken up for a little temporary interest and dissolved at the 
fancy of the parties. It is to be looked on with reverence, be- 
cause it is not a partnership in things subservient to the gross 
animal existence of a temporary and perishable nature. It is 
a partnership in all science ; a partnership in all art ; a partner- 
ship in every virtue and in all perfection." 

This wisdom of these sages, the sovereign people of our re- 
public cheerfully subscribe to, while at the same time, they do 
not ignore their peculiar rights as citizens of their respective 
townships. Within these limits they allow no state interference 
beyond the bounds which they have fixed through their repre- 
sentative in the state legislature. It is here, within the town- 
ship that the student of American democracy, must begin his 
studies of American institutions. It is here, in the American 
town meeting that he will find democracy not only in its germ, 
but as having what Lord Bacon calls, "sprinjring and germinant 
accomplishment" in the Avider ranges of state and national af- 
fairs. Here every man, the rich and the poor, the native born, 
and he who is born in other lands, having become naturalized, 
deposits his ballot without fear of challenge or intimidation, and 
one man's ballot is as valuable as that of another. To the dem- 
ocratic citizen of our New England township, the town meeting 
is an institution of incalculable importance. Here more than 
any where else he feels the bracing atmosphere of lilierty and 
equality before the law. Here he discusses and determines 
great state and national issues, and with fervid and voluminous 
argumentation, and the practice of those mysterious arts, in 
wdiich he is so well trained, he wins his political victories or 
suffers his political defeats. Here he chooses from his fellow 
citizens, those otficers of the town, in all their gradations, "who 



8 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

shall act as the agents through Avhoiii the popular Avill shall find 
expression. Thus the town meeting becomes an educator of 
American youth and the promoter of American democracy. 
" Town meetings," says De Tocqueville, " are to liberty, what 
primary schools are to science ; they bring it within the people's 
reach, they teach men how to use and how to enjoy it." At the 
ballot box, all men, with few exceptions and restrictions, patent 
to all, are placed upon an equality. This privilege educates 
men in the value of human freedom, so long withheld from 
the masses under oligarchal, monarchical and feudal forms of 
government. Along with the ballot, dropped from the free- 
man's hand, comes to him a higher sense of manhood and per- 
sonal worth. It is here that the young man takes his first les- 
son in the dignity of political sovereignty. 

The privilege of voting in town meeting, has a direct ten- 
dency to produce in men a deeper interest in all that relates to 
the welfare of the community, the state and the nation. He 
feels that upon him, as a voter, rests in some sense the weal or 
woe of the social fid^ric of which he is part. Says De Tocque- 
ville again, 'Tn the American townships, power has been dis- 
seminated with admirable skill, for the purpose of interesting 
the greatest possii)le number of persons in the common weal. 
Independently of the voters, who are from time to time called 
into action, the power is divided among innumerable function- 
aries and officers, who all in their several spheres, represent the 
powerful community in whose name they act. The local ad- 
ministration thus aflbrds an unfailing source of profit and in- 
terest to a vast number of individuals. In this manner the ac- 
tivity of the township is continually perceptible ; it is daily 
manifested in the fulfillment of a duty or the exercise of a right, 
and a constant though gentle motion is kept up in society, which 
animates, without disturbing it. The American attaches him- 
self to his little community for the same reason that the moun- 
taineer clings to his hills, because the characteristic features of 
his country are there more distinctly marked ; it has a more 
striking physiognomy. The native of New England is attached 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 9 

to his township, because it is independent and free ; his co- 
operation in its affairs insures his attachment to its interests ; 
the well-being it affords him, secures his affection ; and its wel- 
fare is the aim of his ambition, and of his future exertions. He 
takes a part in every occurrence in the place ; he practices the 
art of government in the small sphere within his reach ; he ac- 
customs himself to those forms without which liberty can only 
advance by revolutions ; he imbibes their spirit ; he acquires a 
taste for order ; comprehends the balance of power and col- 
lects clear practical notions on the nature of his duties and the 
extent of his rights." 

There is nothing connected with the working of our muni- 
cipal and state governments, which strikes the foreigner with 
more surprise and interest, than the absence of all sJioiv of ad- 
ministrative authority. Pie enters one of our towns and, perhaps 
lives in it, for many days or months, but fails to discover the 
source from which proceeds the direction and control of its pub- 
lic affairs. He sees no pompous or fussy official, clothed in the 
insignia of his office, and swelling with a consciousness of his 
brief authority ; no gens d\irmes nor mounted policeman, busy 
in keeping the peace and executing the laws. He would pos- 
sibly be at considerable inconvenience, to find the source of au- 
thority, in town matters, should he so desire. And yet, authority 
is not wanting. If the municipal machinery moves thus quietly, 
there is a power that moves it. This moving poAver will be 
found to reside in a class of men, elected at " the annual town 
meeting " called town officers, whose duties are clearly defined 
by state enactment. These officers, in whom resides the ad- 
ministration of town affairs, deserve mention in the present 
chapter, and since the selectmen, more than any other town 
officers, embody and express the popular will, special attention 
will be paid to their duties and powers, while other town 
offiicers will have only a brief mention. 

Selectmen. — Every town at its annual town meeting shall 
choose from the inhabitants thereof, a board of officers, called 
selectmen. This board shall consist of three, five, seven or 
2 



10 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

nine men, chosen by ballot. According to Massachusetts Gen- 
eral Statutes "every person elected selectman, who enters upon 
the performance of his duties, before taking the oath of office, 
shall forfeit for such offence, a sum not exceeding one hundred 
dollars. The selectmen shall be assessors of taxes and over- 
seers of the poor, in towns where other persons are not spec- 
ially chosen to those oiEces, and when acting as assessors, they 
shall take the oath required of assessors." 

" The powers and duties of selectmen are not fully defined by 
statute. Many of the acts usually performed by them, in be- 
half of towns and which are recognized as within their appro- 
priate sphere, have their origin and foundation in long continued 
usage. The management of the prudential affairs of towns, 
necessarily requires the exercise of a large discretion, and it 
would be quite 'impossible, by positive enactment, to place defi- 
nite limits to the powers and duties of selectmen, to whom the 
direction and control of such affairs are intrusted. Speaking 
generally, it may be said, that they are agents to take the gen- 
eral superintendence of the business of a town ; to supervise the 
doings of subordinate agents and the disbursement of moneys, 
appropriated by vote of the town, to take care of its property, 
and perform other similar duties. But they are not general 
agents. They are not clothed with the general power of the 
corporate body, for which they act. They can only exercise 
such powers and perform such duties as are necessarily and 
properly incident to the special and limited authority conferred 
on them by their office. They are special agents, empowered 
to do only such acts as are required to meet the exigencies of 
ordinary town business. They are not authorized to institute 
or defend suits, where the town is a party, without special 
power given them by the town."* There are, however, certain 
duties made imperative by statute upon selectmen. The Gen- 
eral Statute declares that the annual meeting of each town shall 
be held in February, March or April ; and other meetings at 

* Herrick's Town Officer, p. 63. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 11 

such times as the selectmen may order. According to state au- 
thority, every town meeting shall be held in pursuance of a 
warrant, under the hands of the selectmen, directed to the con- 
stables, or some other persons, appointed by the selectmen for 
that purpose, who shall forthwith notify such meeting in the 
manner prescribed by the by-laws, or a vote of the town. The 
selectmen may, by the same Avarrant, call two or more distinct 
town meetings, for distinct purposes. 

The w^arrant shall express the time and place of the meetino- 
and the subjects to be there acted npon : the selectmen shall in- 
sert therein, all subjects which may, in Avriting, be requested of 
them, by any ten or more voters of tiie town, and nothinff 
acted upon shall have a legal operation, unless the subject 
matter thereof, is contained in the warrant. They shall, at 
least ten days before the annual toAvn election and at least ten 
days before the Tuesday next after the first Monday in Novem- 
ber, annually, make correct alphabetical lists, of all the persons 
qualified to vote for the several officers to be elected at those 
periods ; and shall at least ten days before said election, cause 
such a list to be posted up in two or more public places in their 
respective towns. According to an act of the legislature of 
1877, the selectmen of each town, shall make and keep a record of 
all persons entitled to vote therein, at any election for town, coun- 
ty, state or national officers, which shall be known as a Register 
of Voters. Said register shall contain the names of such voters, 
written in full, the street or place in town where each resides at 
the time of registration, each voters occupation, and such other 
specifications as ma}' be necessary to fully identify the persons 
named, and the date of registration. No name shall be added 
to a voting list in any town, until it has been recorded in said 
register, and none shall be added to a list of voters in use at 
any election, after the opening of the polls, except to correct a 
clerical error or omission, and all names on voting lists shall be 
written or printed in full. The selectmen shall be in session at 
some convenient place, for a reasonable time, within forty-eight 
hours next preceding all meetings for the election of the officers 



12 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

aforesaid, for the purpose of receiving evidence of the qualifi- 
cation of persons, claiming a right to vote,*in such elections, 
and correcting the list of voters. 

They shall hold this meeting for one hour, at least, before 
the opening of the meeting, on the day of the election. Notice 
of time and place of holding the sessions, shall be given on the 
posted list. The selectmen shall enter on such list, the name 
of any person known to them to-be qualified to vote, and shall 
erase therefrom the name of any person known to them not to 
be qualified ; they shall, before entering upon the lists the name 
of a naturalized citizen, require him to produce for their in- 
spection, his papers of naturalization, and be satisfied that he 
has been legally naturalized ; they shall decide whether national, 
state, district and county officers shall be voted for on one bal- 
lot, or at the same time on separate ballots, and shall give 
notice thereof in the Avarrant calling the meeting. They shall 
preside at town meetings for the election of national, state, dis- 
trict and county officers, and shall have all the powers which 
are vested in moderators ; they shall procure of the secretary 
of the commonwealth a sufficient number of self-sealin<J: enve- 
lopes to supply each voter, in the town, bearing the arms of the 
state, and shall allow no other to be used at the polls ; they 
shall receive, sort and count all votes cast for national, state, 
county and district officers, and make public declaration thereof 
in open town meeting ; when a vacancy occurs, in a represen- 
tative district, upon notification of the same from the speaker 
of the house of representatives, fixing a time to fill such va- 
cancy, the selectmen shall issue their warrant to fill such va- 
cancy ; they shall give a certificate of election to a person voted 
for as representative to the general court, in accordance with 
the declaration of the vote, in open town meeting, or forfeit 
three hundred dollars for their oflfence ; at everj^ election in 
towns, for officers other than town officers, the selectmen shall 
cause the voting on check lists and all ballots given in, after 
having been counted, declared and recorded, to be secured in an 
envelope and sealed, and they shall endorse on such envelope, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 13 

for what officers the enchased ballots were cast, and at Avhat 
election, and the same shall be sealed, endorsed and delivered 
to the town clerk before the adjonrnment of the meeting at 
which the ballots were cast ; Avhen the right of persons offering 
a ballot, at any snch election is challenged, for any cause rec- 
ognized by law, the selecttoen, if they receive the same, shall 
require the voter to write his name and residence thereon, and 
they shall add thereto the name of the challenger and the cause 
assigned for challenijing. 

And if such ballot shall be offered sealed, the writing as 
aforesaid may be upon the envelope covering the same, and the 
selectmen shall mark and designate such ballot by writing 
thereon the name of the person by whom it is counted, and 
at the close of the election, the same shall be returned to the 
envelope in which it is deposited. If the town clerk is absent 
the selectmen shall preside ; if there is a vacancy in the office 
of town clerk, or he is not present, the selectmen shall call 
upon the qualified voters present to elect a clerk pro tempore in 
like manner as town clerks are chosen, and shall sort and count 
the votes and declare the election of such clerk ; if by reason 
of death or removal or other cause, a town clerk cannot per- 
form the duties of his office, the selectmen may in writing, 
under their hands appoint a clerk for the performance of such 
duties; they shall annually in March or April, appoint certain 
town officers, should the inhabitants of the town neglect to 
choose them ; for instance, one sealer of weights and measures, 
and as many more as the inhabitants at their annual meeting 
determine, and a gauger of liquid measures; and they may at 
any time remove the same and appoint others in their places ; 
one measurer of wood and bark, and as many more as the in- 
habitants at their annual meeting may determine. In case any 
person elected as school committee, after being duly notified, 
refuses or neglects to accept said office, or if any member of 
the board declines further service, or from change of residence 
or otherwise, becomes unable to attend to the duties of the 
board, the remaining members shall, in writing, give notice of 



14 HISTORY OF GAlWNEll. 

the fact to the selectmen of the town, and the two boards, after 
a week's public notice, shall proceed to fill the vacancy by a 
majority vote of the joint boards. 

The selectmen may appoint one or more persons to superin- 
tend scales for the weighing of hay ; they may appoint police 
ofiicers, with all or any of the powers of constables, except the 
power of serving and executing civil process, who shall hold 
their office during the pleasure of the selectmen, by whom they 
are appointed ; they may upon petition of any railroad corpora- 
tion having a passenger station within the limits of such town, 
appoint as many as they may deem proper of the persons in 
the employ of said corporation, police officers, to act as railroad 
police, to preserve order within and upon the premises and 
upon the cars of the corporation upon wliose petition they are 
appointed. They shall appoint a suitable person to be officer 
of the watch established by the town, and direct the manner 
in which watchmen shall be equipped. 

In case of fire, where no fire-wards are appointed, the select- 
men may direct any house or building to be pulled down or de- 
molished, when they judge the same to be necessary to prevent 
the spreading of the fire. When the selectmen of any town 
consider it necessary for the protection of persons and property 
in such town, against fire, to take water from any or all pipes 
or conductors of any aqueduct company running through such 
town, said selectmen may order the engineers of the fire de- 
partment in said town to request such aqueduct company to put 
conductors into such pipes or conductors of said company for 
the purpose of attaching hydrants or conducting water into res- 
ervoirs and in such places as engineers shall think necessary to 
secure the safety of such persons and property against fire. 
The selectmen shall, upon application of seven freeholders, in- 
habitants of a proposed fire district, requiring them to notify a 
meeting of the inhaljitants thereof, duly qualified to vote in 
town affairs, forthwith give notice to such inhabitants in the 
manner of notifying town meetings, to assemble at some suit- 
able place within the district, for said purpose, the substance 
of which shall be expressed in the notification. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 15 

In case no board of health is chosen l^y the town, the select- 
men shall constitute that board. They may appoint a physi- 
cian, who shall hold his office during their pleasure. They 
shall establish the salary or other compensation of such physi- 
cian. The selectmen shall require and enforce the vaccination 
of all the inhabitants, and whenever, in their opinion, the pub- 
lic health requires it, the revaccination of all the inhabitants 
who do not prove to their satisfaction that they have been suc- 
cessfully vaccinated or rcvaccinated within five years. They 
shall provide a hospital, not within a hundred rods of any 
dwelling, for the reception of those having small-pox or any 
other infectious or contagious disease, and make all such regula- 
tions as they deem necessary for the removal of nuisances and 
the preservation of the public health, and to give public notice 
when dangerous diseases exist in the town. The selectmen 
may determine a suitable place for the erection of a school- 
house and necessary buildings and proceed to select the same 
at their discretion, and to lay out a lot or enlargement thereof 
and to appraise the damages thereof to the owner of such land, 
in the mannei- provided for laying out town ways and apprais- 
ing damages sustained thereby. 

The selectmen may lay out or alter town ways for the use of 
their respective towns, and provide ways for the use of one or 
more of the inhabitants thereof; or may order specific repairs 
to be made upon such ways, and shall cause suitable bounds to 
be erected at the termini and angles of all roads laid out by 
them. They are to assign limits to surveyors of highways, in 
writing, before the first of May, to regulate water-courses in 
the roads ; to determine compensation for damjiges occasioned 
by repairs in highways ; to report at town meeting where guide- 
posts are erected and are needed ; they are to determine, in 
writing, Avhere the posts of a telegraph company shall be 
placed, the height at which, and the places where the wires may 
run. They may establish such pu])lic drinking troughs, Avells 
and fountains, within the public highways, squares and com- 
mons of their respective towns, as in their judgment the public 
necessity and convenience may require. 



16 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

The selectmen of any town may make such rules and regula- 
tions in relation to the passage of carriages, wagons, carts, 
trucks, sleds, sleighs or other vehicles, through the streets or 
public ways, as they shall deem necessary for the safety or con- 
venience of those who travel on said streets or W'ays, on foot 
or in vehicles, with penalties for violations thereof, not exceed- 
ing twenty dollars for one oifense. Once in every five years 
two or more of the selectmen of each town shall perambulate 
the town, run the lines and renew the murks. Previously to a 
perambulation, the selectmen of the most ancient of the con- 
tiguous towns, shall give ten days' notice, in writing, to the 
selectmen of the adjoining town, of the time and place of 
meeting for such perambulation. The selectmen of the con- 
tiguous towns shall erect, at the joint and equal expense of such 
towns, permanent monuments to designate their respective 
boundary lines, at ever}' angle thereof, except where such lines 
are bounded by the ocean or some permanent stream of water. 
The monuments shall be of stone, well set in, and at least four 
feet high from the surface of the ground ; and the initial letter 
of the respective name of each contiguous town, shall be plainly 
and legibly cut thereon. 

The selectmen of towns bordering on another state, where 
the lines between the states are settled and established, shall, 
once in every five years, give notice to the selectmen or other 
proper municipal officers of such towns in the other state, as 
adjoin their town, of their intention to perambulate the lines 
between their adjoining towns. Where such lines are in dis- 
pute, the perambulations shall be made once in every tive years 
after the lines are settled and established. 

The selectmen of any town, when in their opinion the public 
good requires it, may ofier a suitable reward, to be paid by the 
town, not exceeding five hundred dollars, in one case, to any 
person who in consequence of such oft'er, secures any person 
charged with a capital crime or other high crime or misdemeanor, 
committed in such place, and such reward shall be paid b}' the 
treasurer upon warrant of the selectmen. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 17 

The selectmen, upon the order of the commander-in-chief, 
shall appoint a time and place of parade for the militia in their 
town, and order them to appear at the time and place, either 
by leaving a written notice or orally, and then and there pro- 
ceed to draft as many thereof, or accept as many volunteers, as 
are required, by the commander-in-chief, and shall forthwith 
notify the commander-in-chief that they have performed such 
duty. The selectmen of towns may aimually appoint one or 
more persons to be inspectors of provisions and animals in- 
tended for slaughter, who shall receive such compensation as 
the selectmen may determine. They may annually appoint one 
or more persons to be inspectors of milk, who shall be sworn. 

The selectmen may grant licenses, annually, to persons, whom 
they deem fit, for the sale of intoxicating liquors, to inn-holders 
and common victualers. They may grant licenses for billiard 
tables or bowling alleys, for hire, gain or reward, upon such 
terms and conditions, as they deem proper, to be used for 
amusement merely; l)ut not for purposes of gaming for money 
or other property. They may license theatrical exhibitions, 
public shows, public amusements and exhibitions of every de- 
scription, to which admission is obtained upon payment of 
money, upon such terms as they may deem reasonable. 

Such are some, but not all of the powers, duties and respon- 
sibilities devolved upon the selectmen of the towns as executors 
of the Avill of the sovereign people, whose duties are defined 
by tlie general statutes of the state. They are the embodi- 
ment of municipal power, in the exercise of which, the town is 
governed and its interests secured. 

It is worthy of notice, how the public official acts of the 
selectmen of a town, like the many tributaries of a great river, 
flow into the broader and deeper channels of state and national 
influence and power. It is through their action, that the will 
of the township combines with, and expresses the will of the 
whole nation. There is in this system of popular government 
by townships, a careful avoidance of centralization of power, 
in the state or the national administration. The people deter- 
3 



18 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

mine for themselves, who shall be their servants in carrying out 
their will, in town, state and nation. If they are not satisfied 
with their selectmen or representatives in the state or national 
legislature, they quietly express their disfavor at the ballot box. 
The ballot is, to them, a noiseless, yet all-powerful means of 
expressing their political opinions and reaching their political 
aims. 

Town Glerh. — Every town has its town clerk, w^hose duties 
are various and well defined. He shall record all votes passed 
at the meetino- at which he was elected, and at all other meet- 
ino's held during: his continuance in ofiice. He is to record all 
reports of conuuittees ; to make a record of his own election 
and qualification. He shall administer the oath of office to all 
town officers, who appear before him for that purpose, and shall 
make a record thereof, and of oaths of office taken before jus- 
tices of the peace, of which certificates are filed. The names 
of persons voted for, the number of votes received for each 
person and the title of the office for which he is proposed, shall 
be entered in words at length, by the town clerks, in their 
records. Within ten days after an election for governor, lieu- 
tenant-governor, councilors, senators, secretary, treasurer and 
receiver-general, auditor, attorney -general, representative in 
congress, commissioner of insolvency, sherifis, registers of pro- 
bate and insolvency, district-attorneys, or clerks of the courts, 
town clerks shall transmit copies of the records of the votes, 
attested by them, certified by the selectmen and sealed up, to 
the secretary of the commonwealth ; they shall in like manner, 
within ten days after an election for county treasurer or register 
of deeds, transmit such copies of the records of the voters, to 
the county commissioners of their several counties ; and within 
seven days after an election for county commissioner, transmit 
such copies of the records of the votes to the clerk of the 
courts of their several counties. 

Town clerks upon payment of their fees, shall record all 
mortgages of personal property, delivered to them, in books 
kept for the purpose, noting therein, and on each mortgage. 



HISTOBY OF GARDNER. 19 

the time it is received. They shall also record notice to fore- 
close, with affidavits of service and notices to pledgers of 
property, of intention to foreclose, with affidavits of service, 
and notice of liens on ships. The town clerk shall issue certi- 
ficates of marriage, upon sufficient evidence that the parties 
applying for the same are legally entitled to receive them. If 
he issues a certificate of marriage to a man under the age of 
twenty-one years, or female under the age of eighteen, having 
reasonable cause to supjiose the person to be under such age, 
except upon the api)lication or consent, in writing, of the parent, 
master or guardian of such person, he shall forfeit a sum not 
exceeding one hundred dollars ; but if there is no parent, 
master or guardian in the state, competent to act, a certificate 
may be issued, without such application or consent. For this 
service, his fee shall be fifly cents, paid by the parties receiving 
the certificate. He shall also record all births and deaths within 
the town. He shall make an entry, in a liook kept for that 
purpose, of all money or property, found by any one, to the 
amount of three dollars or more value, and of all stray beasts, 
with a description of the color and natural and artificial marks 
of the beast, for which the finder shall pay him the sum of 
twenty-five cents. 

It shall be the duty of the town clerk of any town, which is 
authorized to sul)scribe for any stock of any railroad company, 
or to loan its credit, or to grant aid to the same, to transmit to 
the secretary of the commonwealth and to the board of rail- 
road commissioners, a certified copy of any vote of such town, 
under such authority, within thirty days, from the day on which 
said vote shall be taken. Considering these and other duties 
not here named, l)elonging to the town clerk, it will be readily 
seen that the office is no sinecure. 

Assessors. — The assessors of a town constitute a board of 
three or more competent citizens, chosen in annual toAvn meet- 
ing, who shall take the oath of office, in substance as follows : — 

"'You being chosen assessors, (or an assessor) for the town of , 

for the year ensuing, do sAvear that you will impartially, according to 



20 HISTORY OF GAllDNEll. 

your best skill and judgment, assess and apportion all such taxes as you 
are, during that time, directed to assess, and that you will faithfully dis- 
charge all other duties of said office." 

If any person chosen assessor, having notice of his election, 
neglect to take the oath of office, he shall forfeit a snm not ex- 
ceeding fifty dollars. The dnties of assessors are quite im- 
portant and well defined by general statute. 

Town Treasurer. — The town treasurer shall be chosen by 
ballot, at the annual town meeting and shall take the oath of 
office. In addition to this, he shall give bonds, in such sum as 
the selectmen may require, with sureties, to their satisfaction, 
for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office ; shall re- 
ceive and take charge of all sums of money belonging to his 
town, and pay over the same according to the order of such 
town or the officers thereof, duly authorized in that behalf. 
The bond thus required should be given to the town, and not 
to the selectmen. The town treasurer is not excused from pay- 
ing over money collected by him, because it has been stolen 
from him without his fault. His sureties are still liable for his 
failure to pay, on that account. He may in his own name and 
official capacity, prosecute suits upon bonds, notes or other 
securities, given to him or his predecessors in office, and when 
no other provision is specially made, shall prosecute for all 
fines and forfeitures which enure to his town or the poor 
thereof. 

He shall prosecute for any trespasses committed on any 
building or enclosure belonging to his town. If appointed col- 
lector of taxes, he may appoint deputies, who shall give bonds 
for the faithful discharge of their duty, as the selectmen may 
think proper. A treasurer so appointed collector, may issue 
his warrant to the sherifl:' of the county or his deputy or to any 
constable of the town, directing them to distrain the property 
or take the body of any person who is delinquent in the pay- 
ment of taxes, and to proceed in like manner as collectors are 
required to do in like cases. The treasurer shall annually 
render a true account of all his receipts and payments, and 



HLSTOBY OF GARDNER. 21 

other official doings, to the town, and shall receive such com- 
pensation for his services as the town may determine. 

Higliivay Surveyors. — There shall be in each town, one or 
more highway surveyors, who, Avhen chosen, cannot refuse to 
serve, under penalty of ten dollars ; but he shall not be obliged 
to serve oftener than once in three years. If he neglects the 
duties of his office, he shall forfeit ten dollars for each of- 
fense ; and he may be prosecuted by indictment for any deti- 
ciency in the highways, within his limits, occasioned by his 
fault or neglect. The powers and responsibilities of this class 
of town officers, are almost unlimited, so far as they relate to 
the highwaj-s and all that pertain to their management, of 
Avhich, we cannot occupy space here to speak. 

There are also constables, appointed to keep the peace and 
execute the laws ; field drivers, whose duty it is to take up, at 
any time, swine, sheep, horses, asses, mules, goats or neat 
cattle, going at large in public highways, or town ways, or on 
common and unimproved lands, and not under the care of a 
keeper ; fence viewers, who have power to determine the legality 
of fences, between owners of lands adjacent ; and may, when 
a fence line is in dispute, or unknown, designate a line on 
which a fence shall be built, and may employ a surve3'or there- 
for if necessary ; surveyors of lumber, measurers of wood and 
harh, and overseers of the i^oor. 

An important agency in every town, in carrying out the 
wishes of the people, regarding public education, is the school 
committee, who are chosen at the annual town meeting, by 
ballot, whose duty it is to have the charge and general superin- 
tendence of all the public schools in the town. They shall 
consist of any number divisible by three, one-third to be elected 
annually, and to serve three years, unless the town otherwise 
determines, at its annual meeting; the school committee shall 
select and contract with the teachers of the public schools, and 
shall require full and satisfactory evidence of the good moral 
character of all instructors, wdio may be employed, and shall 
ascertain, by personal examination, their qualifications for teach- 



22 HI8T0BY OF GAIiDNEB. 

ing, and capacity for government of schools. They shall re- 
quire the daily reading in schools, of some portion of the Bible, 
without written note or oral comment ; but, they shall require 
no schohir, to read from any particular version, whose parent 
or guardian shall declare that he has conscientious scruples 
against allowing him to read therefrom, nor shall they even 
direct any school books, calculated to favor the tenets of any 
particular sect of christians, to be purchased or used in any 
public school. 

They shall direct what text books shall be used in the public 
schools, and shall prescribe, as far as practicable, a course of 
studies and exercises to ))e pursued in said schools. If any 
change is made in text books, each pupil then belonging to the 
public schools and requiring the substituted book, shall be 
furnished with the same, by the school committee, at the ex- 
pense of the town. They shall give notice in Avriting, to the 
assessors of the toAvn, of the names of the pupils, thus supplied, 
of the books so furnished, the prices thereof, and the names of 
the parents, masters or guardians, who ought to have supplied 
the same, that the assessors may add the price of the books to 
the next annual tax of such parents, masters or guardians, that 
the amount may i)e paid into the town treasury, in the same 
manner as town taxes. 

Thus all pai-ents, masters and guardians are compelled to 
furnish children under their charge, with the means of procur- 
ing a common school education. The school committee may 
also appoint, if the town so vote, a superintendent of public 
schools, and tix his salary. If a superintendent is appointed 
by them, they shall not be entitled to a compensation for their 
services. They shall make an annual report to the town and 
to the secretary of the board of education, of the common- 
wealth, and perform all other duties specified by law. 

From this survey of the town, in its self-governing capacity 
as a constituent element of the state, and through the state, of 
the nation, we may obtain some higher appreciation of its im- 
portance. We find it to be a little municipality, existing under 



HISTORY OF GAEBJYUB. 23 

well defined laws, admirably adapted, through the agency of 
town officials, to secure its highest ends. There is in it, no 
permanent superiority of one individual over another, for which, 
the Pilgrim Fathers had no love, but an intense hate. The 
original settlers were men who regarded themselves as stand- 
ing upon perfect equality. They were men of poverty, "and 
there are," says De Tocqueville, in speaking of these men," no 
surer guarantees of equal it}', among men, than poverty and 
misfortune. Born in a country which had been agitated, for 
centuries, by the struggles of factions, and in which all parties 
had been obliged, in their turn, to place themselves under the 
protection of the laws, their political education had been per- 
fected in this rude school, and they were more conversant with 
the notions of right, and the principles of true freedom, than 
the greater part of their European contemporaries. 

"At the period of the first emigrations, the township system, 
that fruitful germ of free institutions, was deeply rooted in the 
hal)its of the English, and with it, the doctriue of the sover- 
eignty of the people, had l)een introduced into the bosom of the 
monarchy of the house of Tudor." We find that the township, 
"that fruitful germ of free institutions," has had a wonderful 
development in the progress of years. We see the germ of it, 
clearly manifestiug itself in the Pl^anouth Colony, as early as 
1621, when, as the historian tells us, in speaking of the Pilgrim 
Fathers, "after they had prpvided a place for their goods, or 
common store and begun some small cottages for their habita- 
tion, as time would admit, fhei/ met and consulted of Imvs and 
orders, both for their civil and military government, as the 
necessity of their coudition did require." Here first " the sim- 
ple democracy, the earliest instance of New England town 
meeting government, proved it'^elf equal to the need of the 
little republic." Here these sturdy men, in their little town 
meeting, deliberated on the means of defending themselves 
against the attacks of the aboriginal savage, who hung with 
hostile intent upon the borders of their little settlement. Here 
it was, that upon " a very fair and warm day," April 1st, 1621, 



24 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

" while they were deliberating on pnblic affairs, in town meeting, 
Sanioset came, the third time and four others with him, to visit 
the pilgrims." It was here, on the second day of April, 1621, 
that they completed their " military orders '' and made those 
laws which seemed necessary in their ' ' present estate and con- 
dition." Here they re-elected Carver as governor of the colony, 
with indefinite powers, but always responsible to "the whole 
company." Here in this early stage of their colonial existence, 
they had occasion to test the powers of their new government, 
when John Billington, who had been " shuiHed into their com- 
pany," showed his dislike of Captain Miles Standish, Avhen in 
" opprobrious speeches," he manifested his " contempt of the 
captain's lawful commands." This " profane and w(nthless fel- 
low," was " convcnted before the whole company," and for his 
offense, was sentenced "to have his neck and heels tied to- 
gether." This unfortunate member, however, under " military 
orders," " humbled himself and craved pardon," in view of 
which, his penalty was remitted. 

Thus, even in the very infancy of this half depopulated 
colony, was the public authority upheld by the action of "the 
whole body," in their first town meetings. The township and 
the town meeting were brought, in their seed form, across the 
ocean, in the hold of the Mayflower. They were planted in the 
soil of Plymouth, from which they have developed into a mighty 
republic, whose borders are washed by the great oceans. We 
see then how the idea of the township, with its organic life, as 
an independent municipality, beginning in Massachusetts Bay, 
has gradually extended itself over all the nation — a miniature 
democracy — and yet so interwoven in its politial action, with 
the whole state and the whole nation, as to be a vital part of a 
stupendous whole, one body politic, in which, if " one member 
suflfer, all the members suffer with it, or one member be hon- 
ored, all the members rejoice with it." Distinct and inde- 
pendent as the town certainly is, those, who have had a part in 
shaping its municipal organism, have had the wisdom to dis- 
cover, that, unus Jiomo, nuUus homo — man alone, is not a man, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 25 

— but that the highest political condition is reached only, when 
man acts, not within the confined limits of his own town or 
state, but, in the wider range of the nation's life, whose great 
heart is as the heart of one man, sending its life-giving cur- 
rents out through all the arteries and veins of the body politic. 
In conduct of such for reaching significance on the part of our 
fothers, is confirmed the wisdom of Alexander Hamilton, who 
in the Federalist says, " as all external provisions are found to 
be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving 
the interior structure of the government, as that its several con- 
stituent parts, may, by their mutual relations, be the means of 
keeping each other in their places." 
4 



26 HISTORY OF GARDJSTEB. 



CHAPTER 11. 

INCORPORATION AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN. 

" The wise and active couquer difficulties 
By daring to attempt them ; sloth and folly 
Shiver and shrink at sight of toil and hazard, 
And make the impossibility they fear." — Bowe. 

C A J CCQRDING to the most accurate information, which we 
jL\- are able to obtain, regarding the initiatory steps, taken 
for the incorporation of this town, Mr. John Glazier, then a 
citizen of Westminster, in May, 1785, presented a petition, to 
the Massachusetts legislature, bearing about thirty signatures, 
praying that body to erect certain portions of Winchendon, 
Ashburnham, Westminster and Templeton, into a township, 
called Gardner. Although careful search has been made in the 
journal of the house of representatives, for the year 1785, we 
have not been able to ascertain who these petitioners were, no 
names accompanying the petition, having been preserved. 
However, among these petitioners, stands the name of Mr. John 
Glazier, as some of his descendants, still living in town, can 
testify. Accompanying this petition, was an outline map, still 
on file, at the state house, giving a view of this and the adjoin- 
ins: towns, when Gardner should be set off from them. The 
town received the name of Gardner, in honor of Colonel Thomas 
Gardner, who fell in defence of his country's liberties. 

The following is the Act of Incorporation, with the date of 
its passage, by the General Court, which it is thought best to 
embody entire in this chapter. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 27 



ACT OF INCORPORATION. 

Au act for erecting the westerly part of Westminster, the 
southwesterly part of Ashburnham, the southeasterly part of 
Wincheudon and the easterly part of Templeton, in the county 
of Worcester, into a town by the name of Gardner : — 

WJierean^ The inhabitants of the westerly part of the town 
of Westminster, the southwesterly part of the town of Ash- 
burnham, the southeasterly part of the town of Wincheudon 
and the easterly part of the town of Templeton, in the county 
of Worcester, have represented to this court, the difficulties 
they labor under in their present situation, and request that 
they maybe incorporated into a separate town, and it appearing 
to this court, proper to comply with their request : 

Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives in 
General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same: 
That the westerly part of the town of Westminster, southwest- 
erly part of the town of Ashburnham, southeasterly part of the 
town of Wincheudon and easterly part of the town of Temple- 
ton, in the county of Worcester, bounded as follows, viz : Be- 
ginning at the west corner of the town of Westminster, running 
southeasterly on the town line on Templeton and Hubbardston, 
to the southeasterly corner of lot number thirty-two, third divi- 
sion ; thence running northeasterly, straight to the southeasterly 
corner of lot number ninety-one, second division ; from thence, 
upon the line between lots number ninety-one and ninety-two, 
to Ashburnham town line ; thence, running southwesterly on 
Ashburnham line, to the northeast corner of lot number fifty-five, 
second division, in Ashburnham; thence, by the northeasterly 
line of said lot, to the north corner of the same ; from thence, 
straight to the northeast corner of lot number forty-five, second 
division; from thence, on the north line of the same, to the 
northwest corner on Winchendon line ; from thence, northeast- 
erly on said line, to the northeasterly corner of lot number 
fifteen, second division of Ashburnham line ; from thence, south- 



28 HISTORY OF GABDNEll. 

westerly pii a straight line, to the northwesterly corner of lot 
number one hundred and sixty, on Templeton line ; from thence, 
southeasterly on said line, to the southeast corner of lot number 
eighty-four, second division ; from thence, on the southeasterly 
line of said lot, to Otter River, so called ; from thence, up said 
river to Westminster town line ; from thence, on said line to the 
first mentioned corner, be and they hereby are erected into a 
town by the name of Gardner, and the inhabitants thereof, 
hereby are invested with all the powers, privileges and immuni- 
ties which the inhabitants of other tow'us Avithin this common- 
wealth do or may enjoy. 

And he it further enacted : That where the lots that are now 
settled, are cut by the above lines, every owner of such lot, 
shall be holclen to pay taxes for the whole of such lot to that 
toAvn in which his house now stands. Provided, nevertheless: 
If any owner of such lot, shall return a certificate into the sec- 
retary's ofiice, within six months after the passing of this act, 
expressing his desire to belong, with his said lot, to the other 
town, such lot and the owner thereof, shall forever afterwards 
be holden to pay taxes to the other town accordingly. 

And he it far titer enacted, hy the authority aforesaid: That 
the inhabitants of the said town, shall pay their proportion of 
all taxes already granted to be raised in the several towns from 
which they were respectively taken. 

And be it further enacted: That Nicholas Dyke, Esq., be 
and hereby is empowered to issue his warrant directed to some 
principal inhabitant, requiring him to w^arn and give notice, to 
the inhabitants of the said town, to assemble and meet at some 
suitable time and place, in said town, to choose all such officers 
as towns, by law are required to choose, at their annual town 
meeting in the month of March. 

Samuel Phillips, Junior, President of the Senate. 
Nathaniel Gorham, Speaker of the House. 
June 27th, 1785. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 29 

That the reader may see, with what cordiality and unanimity, 
the adjoining towns, surrendered a portion of their territory, 
for the formation of a new township, the following votes of 
these towns, as taken from original files, will here be inserted. 

VOTE OF WINCHENDON. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Winchendon, 
by adjournment, on the 16th day of May, A. D., 1785, voted. 
That if the petitioners, in the southeast part of said town, pay 
their equal portion of what the town shall owe, when they are 
established by the General Court, into a town or district, that all 
the land lying southeasterly of the following bounds, viz : Be- 
o-innino; at the northeast corner of lot number fifteen, in the 
second division in Ashburnham line ; thence southwesterly, on 
a straight line to the northwesterly corner of lot number one 
hundred and sixty, in Templeton line, be set off, in order for 
forming a town or district, with others in the neighboring towns. 

Moses Hale, Moderator. 

VOTE OF ASHBURNHAM. 

At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of said town, voted. 
That the southwest corner of this town, be set ofi^", to join with 
a part of Westminster and Winchendon, into a separate towui, 
as far as the following lots, viz : Beginning at the northwest 
corner of lot number forty-five, second division ; from thence, by 
the north line, to the northeast corner of said lot ; from thence, 
straight to the northeast corner of lot number fifty-five, second 
division, and by the east line of said lot, to Westminster town 
line, including two thousand, three hundred and forty-eight acres. 
A true copy, attest, 

Samuel Wilder, Jr., Toivn Clerk. 

Ashburnham, Sept. 3d, 1784. 

vote of WESTMINSTER. 

Voted, To set off the westerly part of the town, beginning 
at the southeasterly corner of lot number thirty-two, third di- 



30 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

vision, on Hubbardston line; thence running northeasterly, to 
the southwesterly corner of lot number ninety-one, second 
division ; from thence on the line between lots number ninety- 
one and ninety-two, to the town line. At a legal meeting of 
the town of Westminster on the 17th day of May, 1785, the 
above vote was passed. 

Attest, Joseph Holden, Town Clerk. 

VOTE OF TEMPLETON. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of Templeton, legally con- 
vened, the town voted to accept the report of the committee, 
which is as follows, viz : The committee chosen to consider 
the petition of sundry persons, praying for a piece of land ofl' 
of this town, to adjoin with a part of 'several other towns, to 
make a town or district, report as follows, viz : That it is the 
opinion of the committee, that all the land that lies on the east 
side of Otter River, from Westminster line, south part, down 
the river, till it comes to the southerly side of third division, lot 
nnmber eighty-four, be set oft' for that purpose. Which is 
humbly submitted. 

Samuel Cook, Jr., Moderator. 
A true copy, attest, 

Ebenezer Wright, Town Clerk. 

Templeton, Api'il 6, 1785. 

The following is the report of a committee of Winchendon, 
which was " accepted and adopted," on the 17th of May, 1781, 
relating to parting with a large section of its township, to aid 
in forming the new town, which Mr. Marvin, from whose his- 
tory of Winchendon, it is copied, characterizes as " unselfish 
and honorable" : — 

" We, the subscribers, being appointed by the town of Win- 
chendon, as a committee to take into consideration the petition 
of Gideon Fisher and others, inhabitants of the southeasterly 
part of Winchendon, requesting to have a part of said town set 
off, and being annexed to parts of other towns, to form a dis- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 31 

tinct district, have attended to that business, and report as 
follows : Considering the situation of the petitioners, we think 
it reasonable a part of said town should be set off when those 
towns concerned have determined the respective boundaries of 
the district to be so formed, as that the same may be properly 
accommodated ; and as circumstances now appear, we think a 
straight line beg-innino; at the northeast corner of lot number 
fifteen, to the southeast corner of lot number eighty, would 
best accommodate, if the parts taken from the other towns are 
correspondent thereto ; and in order that said boundaries may 
be ascertained, we think it expedient that those towns con- 
cerned should meet by their committees, or otherwise, to con- 
sult on the same." 

It will be seen from the dates of these votes, that the forma- 
tion of this town, was a matter contemplated for a number of 
years, but for some reason, not perfected till June, 1785. In 
accordance with the injunction of the General Court, contained 
in the Act of Incorporation, and addressed to Nicholas Dyke, 
Esq., of Westminster, that gentleman, as justice of the peace, 
issued his warrant for callino; the first town meeting, direct- 
ed to Peter Goodale, as "principal inhabitant" of the town 
of Gardner. Undoubtedly, Mr. Goodale was duly sensible and 
fully appreciative of the distinguished consideration, thus paid 
him, by a servant of the Great and General Court of Massa- 
chusetts. The warrant, is as follows, which it is thought ad- 
visable, together w^ith the doino;s of the town, at its first meet- 
ing, to insert here, that the reader may see how the fathers 
managed their public affairs, in the commencement of the town's 
history. 



32 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



[seal.] 



FIRST TOWN WAERANT. 
CommonwealtJi of Massachusetts. 



Worcester, ss. 

To Peter Goodale, one of the inhabitants of the town of 
Gardner : Greeting. 

Whereas, The Honorable General Court Assembly and House 
of Representatives, at their last session, at the request of said 
inhabitants, have erected the Avestwardly part of the town of 
Westminster, the southwestwardly part of the town of Ash- 
burnham, southwardly part of the town of Winchendon, and 
the eastwardly part of the town of Templeton, in the county of 
Worcester, into a town by the name of Gardner ; and I am also 
directed by the said court to issue my warrant, to some prin- 
cipal inhabitant of said town, to assemble and meet at some 
suitable place, as shall be appointed, and you are hereby, in the 
name of authority aforesaid, forthwith, required to warn all the 
inhabitants of said town, to meet at the house of Mr. John 
Glazier, in said town, on Monday, the fifteenth day of August 
present, at nine o'clock, forenoon, to act on the following arti- 
cles, viz : 

1st. To choose a moderator to govern said meeting. 

2d. To choose all town officers, as the law directs, at annual 
March meetings. 

3d. To know the mind of the town, Avhether they will grant 
money to defray town charges. 

4th. To see what method the town will come into, to collect 
taxes, or to transact any matters or business as they think nec- 
essary. 

And you are hereby required to make due return of this 
warrant and your doings thereon, unto myself, on said day, at 
said place of meeting, where I shall attend. 

Given under my hand and seal this third day of August, 
A. D. 1785. 

Nicholas Dykk, Justice of the Peace. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 33 

Warrant. — To Peter Goodale. 

Ill obedience to this Avarrant I liave notified and warned all 

the inhabitants of this town, to meet at time and place within 

mentioned. 

Peter Goodale. 

Gardner, August ye loth, 1785. 

A true record of the warrant, 

Seth Hey wood, Toimi Clerk. 

FIRST TOWN MEETING. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Gardner, for 
the first time, on the 15th day of August, 1785, at the house of 
John Glazier, agreeable to warrant : — 

1st. Said meeting being opened b}^ Nicholas Dyke, Esq., 
Capt. Elisha Jackson was chosen moderator, for the govern- 
ment of said meeting. 

2d. Chose Seth Heywood, clerk; Elisha Jackson, Samuel 
Stone, John White, Simon Gates, John Glazier, selectmen. 

Voted, That the selectmen be the assessors ; then adjourned 
for one hour. 

Met agreeable to adjournment, and chose Seth Heywood, 
treasurer; Elijah Wilder, collector, and agreed with him, to 
collect the taxes, for four pence on the pound, he procuring 
bondsmen, to the acceptance of the town. 

Then chose Elijah Wilder, constable ; William Bickford, tith- 
ingman ; Simon Gates, Josiah Wilder, Seth He3Wood, Ebene- 
zer Howe, Ebenezer Bolton, highway surveyors ; Bezaleel Hill, 
Ezra Moore, hog reeves ; Jonathan Bancroft, field driver; Jo- 
seph Pay son, sealer of leather ; Joseph Bacon, surveyor of 
boards and shingles ; Andrew Beard, deer reeve; David Nich- 
ols, warden; John Glazier, sexton. The several officers were 
sworn by Justice Dyke. The third and fourth articles were 
dismissed. 

A true record, 

Seth Heywood, Clerk. 



34 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

It is obvious, to one reflecting upon the events of this par- 
ticular period, in the history of the town, that the first town 
meeting, was to its founders, a matter of no small moment. 
To them it was an event that had been long anticipated and 
much discussed. Those most prominently interested, in the 
formation of the township, had spared no pains and inconven- 
ience to awaken an interest, in their long cherished project. 
The many visits they made, from house to house, the many 
arguments they had, in favor of a new township, with those re- 
luctant to come into the proposed arrangement, the many talks, 
among neighbors by the way, and in the huml)le dwellings of 
these early settlers, are more matters of conjecture, than of 
histoTy. And when at last, the Great and General Court, had 
heard their prayer, and the edict had been sent forth, for the 
incorporation of the town, and the day, upon which they were 
to hold their first town meeting, had come, we can easily imag- 
ine with what elasticity of spirit, they assembled at the time 
and place appointed, which place was the house of Mr. John 
Glazier, — now owned and occupied by Mr. William Austin — 
for the transaction of all business, needful to set in legal opera- 
tion, the machinery of their ncAvly made town. It is not diffi- 
cult to put ourselves back into their condition and listen to the 
conjectures, which were made as to Avho should be moderator 
of the meeting, who the clerk, who the selectmen and the other 
officers of less importance, in the management of town affairs. 
We see them, upon the morning of the fifteenth day of Au- 
gust, 1785, converging from all parts of their sparsely peopled 
township, with a certain air and port of freedom about them, 
which none but real freemen can understand or appreciate. 
With mutual congratulations and hearty good cheer, they en- 
couraged one another, in the discharge of their new, yet self- 
sought responsibilities. In the following pages of this history, 
will be seen how faithfully and intelligently the}^ fulfilled their 
trust. 



HISTORY OF GARDJS^ER. 35 



TOPOGRAPHY. 

" Scenes must be beautiful which daily view'cl 
Please daily, and whose novelty survives 
Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years." 

The town of Gtirdner is somewhat unique in its situation, 
being upon the height of land, between the Merrimack and the 
Connecticut rivers, thus forming a water-shed, from which flow 
the waters of the town, into the above mentioned rivers. It is 
k)cated in the north part of Worcester County, and bounded on 
the north, l)y Wineliendon and Ashburnham, on the' east, hy 
Ashburnham and Westminster, on the south, by Westminster 
and Hubbardston and on the west, by Templeton and Winchen- 
don. It has a surface of about fourteen thousand acres, or 
twenty-one and seven-eighths square miles. Its distance wester- 
ly from Boston, is about fifty-eight miles, and from Worcester, 
in a northwest direction, about twenty-five miles. Its average 
altitude is eleven hundred feet above the level of the sea. Its 
highest point, — Glazier hill, near the centre of the town — is 
twelve hundred and ninety-four feet above sea level, while its 
lowest point — where the Otter Kiver ceases to be the town line, 
between Gardner and Templeton — is eight hundred and ninety- 
feet above sea level. The latitude of Gardner, at the centre of 
the town, is forty-two and one-half degrees north. Its longi- 
tude seventy-two degrees west. 

By consulting the map accompanying this work, it will be 
seen, that the outline of Gardner, is very irregular. This no- 
ticeable irregularity, is explained by the fact, that in organizing 
the town, as will be seen by reference to the Act of Incorpora- 
tion, the General Court granted liberty, to those whose farms 
were cut by the town lines, to choose the town they preferred 
to belong to, that they might thus avoid paying taxes in both 
towns. Those desiring to take advantage of this provision, 
were required to return a certificate into the secretary's oflice, 
within six months from the passage of the Act of Incorporation, 
expressing their desire to belong to the adjoining town. Some, 



36 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

after the territory originally comprising the town was surveyed, 
took advantage of the privilege accorded them, and went npon 
the other side of the line. 

This, together with some natural boundaries, is sufficient, to 
explain in part, the irregular appearance of the town's boun- 
dary lines, above alluded to. But these are not the only rea- 
sons for this irregularity. After the town had been in existence 
a few years, there were those upon its borders, who, for rea- 
sons which they presented and which were lustily contested by 
the inhabitants of Gardner, desired to be returned to their old 
township. Among those petitioning to be set back to Win- 
chendon, for instance, was William Whitney, whose petition 
was granted by the General Court, March 2d, 1787. Others 
in the same neighborhood, also petitioned for like privileges, 
but a remonstrance, full of weighty reasons, was presented to 
the General Court b}^ the inhabitants of Gardner, praying that 
the prayer of these petitioners be not granted. 

For the purpose of showing the sturdy persistency, with 
which the fathers contended for the original integrity of the 
town, the sly hiuts they gave, as to the reasons why these peti- 
tioners wished to leave them, as also showing further reasons 
for the irregularity of l)oundaries, the following remonstrance is 
here introduced and allowed to speak for itself: — 

Commonicealth of Massachusetts. 

To the Honorable Senate and House of Kepresentatives in 
General Court assembled, at Boston, February, 1786 : 

The remonstrance and petition of the town of Gardner, 
humbly showeth, that whereas, the town of Gardner, has lately 
received an order from the General Court, passed by them last 
session, to show cause, if any they have, on the second Wednes- 
day of their next session, why the prayers of the petition of 
James Coolidge, the petition of Joseph Priest and Samuel Priest 
and the petition of Abel Wilder, should not be granted. And 
first, in answer to James Coolidge, who sets forth in his peti- 
tion his desire to belong to the town of Winchendon ; again. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 37 

he sets forth, how disagreeable it is to him, to leave his original 
town and a good minister, &c., and that he wonkl have objected 
asfainst beinir set off, in the time of it, had he known when the 
committee were going down to get set off; and certifies, that 
he inquired of one of the committee, when they were going 
down for that purpose, which the said committee-man denies, 
that he inquired of him, about it. However strange it is, that 
he did not know last spring, that he was going to leave his 
original town, and a good minister, &c., when he petitioned, 
with a number of others, to the town of Winchenclon, that he 
might be set off in the incorporation, and he saw the petition, 
that was sent to the General Court, in their JNIay session, l)efore 
it was sent down. Therefoi'e, the town of Gardner thinks it 
would be very hard, on their part, for the said Coolidge, to be 
set back to the town of Winchendon again. 

Secondly, in answer to Joseph and Samuel Priest, who set 
forth in their petition, that it is very contrary to their interest 
and inclination, to be in the town of Gardner, as their lands 
lay within about forty rods of the dividing line, and they view 
it a great hardship, in this land of liberty, to be forced from 
their original town, where there is a meeting-house and an 
agreeable minister, to a town where there is neither ; but, we 
think, they are not forced away, in such a manner as they set 
forth, for they both petitioned to the town of Winchendon, last 
spring, that they might be set off, and be incorporated with us, 
and also signed an instrument, last spring, before we petitioned 
to the General Court, of their Avillingness for the meeting-house 
to stand upon the spot, that we have since purchased, for that 
purpose, and their willingness to help build the same. We 
therefore hope, that the said Joseph and the said Samuel, will 
not have liberty to return to the town of Winchendon asfain. 

In answer to Abel Wilder's request, in behalf of the town of 
Winchendon, praying that those persons who have their f\irms 
cut, by the dividing line, between the towns of Winchendon 
and Gardner, may have liberty to return their names, with 
whole farms or lots, to belons; to the town of Winchendon, or 



38 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

to the town of Gardner, as they shall choose, we hope this 
liberty for returning names, for whole farms or lots, will not be 
granted ; for the selectmen of Winchendon, have informed us, 
since we received the citation, that neither the town of Win- 
chendon, nor the selectmen, have directed the said Wilder, to 
request the same. And the town of Winchendon, was not wil- 
ling last spring, to divide by lots. Therefore, we hope there 
will be no alteration, in the lines at present. For we look upon 
it, as not an equal chance, as we have no meeting-house, nor a 
minister settled. Those persons having their wild lots cut, 
would be more inclined to take their lands to Winchendon, 
than to Gardner, for fear of a little cost. And if the said 
Wilder, said Priests, and said Coolidge should have their re- 
quests granted, it would take aljout a thousand acres of land 
from the little town of Gardner, all near together, upon one 
side of the town, and comes within about a mile and a quarter 
from where we have purchased a piece of land, for a meeting- 
house, common, and burying-yard, and laid out the biggest part 
of our roads, to convene that spot, and the town have agreed, 
with a number of persons, for timber, boards and shingles, &c., 
to be delivered at that spot, in order to build a meeting-house. 
And it would be a means, we fear, of putting the town to great 
cost and difficulty, if not ruin them, to find another spot, to set 
a meeting-house upon, as we are well agreed in the spot that 
we have now purchased for that purpose. AVe therefore pray 
your honors, to take our case into your wise consideration, and 
secure to us our peace, which will be our happiness, b}' dis- 
missing the petitions of the said Wilder, Priests and Coolidge, 
as your petitioners in duty bound, shall ever pray. The com- 
mittee appointed to make answer to the several petitions, beg 
leave to report, that the above, be presented to the General 
Court by their agent. 

Samup:l Kelton, Chairman. 

Voted, That the above be presented to the General Court by 
Capt. Elisha Jackson, who was chosen for that purpose. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 39 

It should be remarked here, however, thut this urgent re- 
monstrance had its desired effect upon the minds of the Gen- 
eral Court, who decreed that these petitioners should remain in 
Gardner. Others, once belonging to Ashburnham, were, after 
a few years residence in Gardner, set back to Ashburnham, at 
their own request. 

Scenic Attractions. — Gardner may be regarded as peculiarly 
fortunate, in the variety and picturesqueness of its scenery. 
Mountains and hills are God's architectural monuments to His 
artistic skill and wonderful power. They stand forth against 
the horizon, like sculptured l)usts of grim old giants, or lofty 
cenotaphs, or strange, rare pictures set in frames, bathed in liq- 
uid blue or o-ilded Avith o-okl which far outshines " the wealth 
of Ormus and of Ind." It has truly been said that 

" Nature never did betray 
The heart that loved her." 

Sometimes gentle, oft capricious and even stern, she is always 

kind. 

Coming to the scenic attractions of Garclner, and giving our- 
selves to their consideration, we feel that it is a theme, upon 
which, all who know them best, will delight to linger. With a 
landscape varied and rich beyond that of most New England 
towns, upon the highest range between Monaclnock and Wa- 
chusett, turn whichever way you will, upon these neighboring 
hills, new beauties unfold to your enraptured view. 

From the summit of Glazier hill you see, twenty miles away 
in the northern background, three thousand one hundred and 
eighty feet in height, Monadnock, leaning his blue and treeless 
form hard against the sky, from whose top, may be seen, the 
granite shaft of Bunker Hill in the far east, the White moun- 
tains as they grow whiter and smaller, until they lose them- 
selves in a thin white line in the northern sky, while the Green 
mountains on the west, fresh and vernal, reach far down to 
the south and unite with the Housatonic range in Massachu- 
setts. 



40 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Turning the glass slowly from Monudnock, you see the hills 
of Troy and Fitzwilliani with the village of Jafirey on its east- 
ern slope, warm and cosy, sheltered by this strong bulwark of 
ledge and mountain. Watatic range continues this hilly con- 
figuration, Avith here and there a natural indentation. The 
Chesliire Eailroad winds its narrow bed this side those hills, 
while its smoke floats lazily back, as the engine passes behind 
the rugged ledges of the Granite state. 

In the nearer perspective, in the Watatic range, you see 
Meetin":-House Hill in Ashburnham, toward which some of our 
earlier townsmen used to turn their willing feet for Sabbath 
worship. Sliarp and sword-like, the spire of Cushing Academy 
rises up from among the green woods and brown pastures, a 
noble monument to one of the loyal sons of Ashburnham's 
earl}^ ministers, who dying, bequeathed a sum sufficient to erect 
this most costly edifice, unrivaled for its architectural beauty, 
in all this region, for the education of the youth of this vicinity. 

Fitchburg, with headlands and sharp promontories, fills up 
the distant gap in the east, and joins the landscape on the south- 
east to its grand old watch-tower, VVachusett. 

This mountain, rising somewhat abruptly on the east, begirt 
with pines and many deciduous trees, is two thousand and six- 
teen feet high, and is crowned with a rustic observatory, from 
which you can see the shipping in Boston navy yard, with many 
intervening towns and cities in the east, the spires and smoke 
of the city of Worcester, at the south, splendid farms and thrifty 
villages in Worcester County, and the long comet tails of the 
numerous trains as they run, on the many railroads, from east 
to west, through our ancient commonwealth. 

This mountain gradually recedes in graceful wavy lines into 
Princeton village, whose picturesqueness and beauty have been 
described by Helen Hunt, under the quaint name of " Hide 
and Seek Town." 

Nearer, HuI)bardston, "graceful with hills, and dales, and 
leafy wood," with lakes and ponds reflecting like a mirror, u[) 
whose woody slopes the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 41 

slowly toils, with its puffing engine, whose glowing head-light, 

returning at night, breaking forth abruptly, from the darkness, 

like 

" A stai" when only one 
Is shining in the sky," 

leaves upon the mind of every enraptured, observing boy, a 
memory as wild and weird, as the phantasm of a delirious dream. 

Still turning to the far southwest, a spur shoots up beyond 
the nearer outline, as blue and graceful as an harebell, unlike 
the rest, yet not disdaining to lend its charms to grace a scene 
so beautiful. 

Templeton, a nearer and more accessible neighbor, supported 
on the west by rising hills, spreads out in terraced beauty, wi(h 
lakes and ponds, whose waters, descending toward Otter River, 
are fretted and worried with the laboring wheel, as it turns the 
machinery of busy industry, with its villages and glittering 
spires, the pride of New England, the birthplace of Goodale, 
an early and honored missionary to Turkey, who, courted and 
consulted by earthly kings and potentates, ever kept clear and 
bright, in the eye of faith, the pearly gates and golden walls of 
the New Jerusalem, coming home at last to find an honored 
grave, in the land he so much loved. 

Phillipston contributes her easterly hills to continue this 
charming landscape, erecting her church and rearing the spire, 
that her younger sister might be cheered by her example, with 
white farm-houses and well (ailtured farms, and stone walls, 
marking the bounds the fathers set. 

The sharp and projecting form of Tully, in North Orange, so 
famous for its contest with the " great tornado," which swept 
through those western towns, in the early part of this century,- 
stands forth in the distant outline. 

Beyond, to the northwest, are the hills of Royalston, and 
Richmond in southern New Hampshire, reaching up to North 
Winchendon, which seems to rest back upon that mountain spur 
just west of Mouadnock. 
6 



42 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

With a hasty swing of the ghiss, we have taken the distant 
objects and enumerated them, as they have passed before our 
eye. For beauty of mingled strength and delicacy, this scene is 
seldom equalled ; varied with lines, sometimes bold and strik- 
ing, sometimes calm and restful, you will find nature here re- 
sponding to all the [esthetic demands of your soul. These 
mountains and hills seem to be the favorite battle field for many 
an hostile array of wind and cloud and storm. Oft-times these 
scenic lines of beauty seem caught up and reformed among 
the clouds, while peaks and precipices and " wavy lines of far 
receding hills," begirt the distant sky. 

The early mists, as they lie off, quiet and white, in the gra}' 
dawn of the morning, seem like the canvas of a becalmed ship, 
waiting to be filled and borne aloft, by some favoring breeze, 
then to rise up and scatter, as the rosy light comes on, and be- 
come 

" White, fleecy clouds 
W;indering in thick flocks along the mountains 
Shepherded by the slow, imwilliug wind." 

The sunset, from this eminence, is worth your trouble to wit- 
ness ; such beauty, the masters have dreamed of, and sometimes 
caught, and transferring it to canvas, have made their names 
immortal. 

The lengthening shadows come on apace within the valleys, 
the setting sun " firing the tops of those mountain pines," with- 
draws from the forests, till they cast their grim shadows on all 
the landscape near, now gilds the window of some distant 
fiirm-house, until it sparkles in its reflected light, like a rich 
diamond, then transforms those far off peaks into glittering 
toAvers and minarets, till these last seem to us fit symbols of the 
glory of the Celestial city. 

Turn now to Peabody Hill, less sightly in the distant prospect, 
sitting like a queen enthroned, in her central position, graceful 
in contour, whose feet are encircled by the three villages of 
the town, as if in reverent homage to her beauty. Here Crys- 
tal Lake, at the north, with an evergreen girdle, reflects upon 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 43 

her smooth surface, hills and trees, and the quiet gravestones 
of the dead, in strange contrast to the long chimneys of the 
busy shops, as well as the cars as they pass over her feet;' 
the little steamer, puffing and whistling, as she buzzes up and 
down her waters, the sail boat and row boat and the birch 
canoe, bringing the past and present in strange conjunction, the 
living and the dead, in strange comparison. 

From this point, we see the cemetery, close by the lake, the 
home of the dead, whose monuments look out, from their ever- 
green bower, calm and still. Toward the west, two miles away, 
the white cross, rising from a field this side the pines, tells us 
of many, who coming from the Green Isle of the sea and mak- 
ing a home among us, weary with the toils of life, have been 
laid away, in their last resting place. 

Beyond the church, upon the hill, concealed from view, shel- 
tered by a pleasant grove, lie the earlier dead of our town. 
The old cemetery I What memories cluster around that spot ! 
With little expense and less ceremony, those early settlers, 
brought one after another of their friends, from their scattered 
homes, and reverently laid them away to rest. How lonely 
the homes and how few the sources of companionship and 
society in those days, and how doubh^ keen must have been the 
solitude they felt ! 

The pleasant homes, as they rise up before you, speak of 
thrift and comfort and prosperity, beyond the common lot of 
New England villages. Residences of taste, and homes of cul- 
ture, you see upon every side, shade trees pleasantly covering 
cottages, or adorning houses of greater proportions, churches, 
assuring you, that the sons are following hard after their fathers, 
in their determination to provide for the religious culture of our 
citizens, school houses, solidly intrenched in the hearts and 
soil of Gardner, that our children may be fitted to fill the 
places their fathers vacate, stores and markets, with neat and 
attractive surroundings, to supply the demands of the wardrobe 
and the larder, a bank set snugly in against Glazier Hill, secure 
in size and manao-eraent. 



44 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

From this hill, West Village spreads out, a pleasant sight, 
the busy shops alive with the hum of industry, the heavy teams, 
the cottage homes, " the castle of the working man," all these 
show that there has not been lacking enterprise and capital and 
strong integrity, which wisely employed, have from a small be- 
ginning, developed an industry which in its length and breadth, 
has not only included, but seated the world ! 

Turning to the south, your eye and ear are caught at once, 
by the long, heavy trains of the Fitchburg liaih'oad, as they 
wind about your feet. From whence come these numerous cars 
and laboring locomotives? This road, bidding defiance to 
mountain and rock and deep ravine, goes west, and plunging 
into the bowels of the earth, thus shortening the distance, 
comes quickly into the Empire state, and thence on, to return 
bearing, as the reward of enterprise, the cereals of our abund- 
ant western fields, to be shipped to the teeming millions of 
Europe. 

And so, where once the lazy smoke, of some camp-fire, curled 
up among those woods and hills, to show where the Indian was 
roasting his venison or broiling his fish, you see the long, low- 
lying trail of the locomotive, quivering with life, as it comes 
from the smoke-stack, but slowly rising and passing into thin 
air. 

From Wright's Hill, the highest land in South Gardner, there 
seems to be the accumulated beauties to be seen from the other 
hills, with the additional attraction of distance. Here you see 
children playing around you, snug homes of comfort, sur- 
rounded by fruit and flowers, a village, coming up to your very 
feet with a lively, social air, in all its ways, with a church, 
stores and market and hives of industry, elegant residences and 
cottages, in one pleasant group, meadows and browui pastures, 
with the cattle reposing in the shade, forming a mosaic, rich 
and fair, for nature is a finished workman. You see here dense 
forests, brooks, overhung with thickets, disappearing beneath 
banks of moss, white houses standing beyond pines, which look 
like fixed shadows, making everything seem brighter by their 



HISTORY OF GABDJSrUB. 45 

contrasting presence, dells, lined with ferns, moss painted rocks, 
roads, bordered thickly with thistle, goldenrod, and the blue- 
eyed aster, stone walls, which grow so smooth, as they recede, 
that they seem, like one dark thread of yarn, whose end, some 
ancient spinster must have caught upon a scraggy bush, as she 
hurried, in " ye olden time,'' from house to house, in search of 
some bit of news. 

Hillsides, now bright with sunshine, mountains, nearer or 
more remote, with form and drapery reflected in the water at 
their feet, a score or two of workshops, with their long chim- 
neys. Green Bower Cemetery, where rest the departed dead, all 
these, and how many more, come thronging on our vision, 
" rocks and hills and towers and wandering streams," "illumed 
with fluid gold," or somber with passing cloud, fill out a pic- 
ture, worthy the pen of Ruskin, or the pencil of our honored 
townsman, Thomas Hill, whose name has become an household 
word in homes of culture and art, as the painter of the " Great 
Yosemite." Such are some of the scenic attractions of Gardner. 

fSoil. — Compared with the rich meadow lands of the Connec- 
ticut valley, or with many other towns, in our own common- 
wealth, Gardner cannot be regarded as especially adapted to the 
purposes of agriculture. Much of its surface is unusually 
rocky and better adapted to grazing, than to the cultivation of 
crops. Scattered over the town, are numerous cold, marshy, 
swamp lands, saturated with sour waters and producing a sort 
of wiry, unpalatable grass, which no self-respecting quadruped 
cares to make a part of the "body corporate." There are, 
however, here and there, dotting the entire surface, lumierous 
mound-like elevations, of varied exposures, whose soil is deep 
and strong and capable, under the cultivation it receives, of 
producing generous crops of all kinds of cereals, raised in our 
New England states. These hills are susceptible of cultivation 
to their very summits, and are, to a considerable extent, free 
from small stones, while, however, an occasional bowlder claims 
his right of maintaining his position upon their sides. Much 
of the land is naturally, cold, rocky and unfit for cultivation ; 



46 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

in addition to this, its elevation, situated as it is, upon the crest 
of land between Wachusett and Monadnock, thus exposing it 
to cold bleak winds, renders it still more unfit for the uses of 
the husbandman. 

While, in some other portions of the state, people are mak- 
ing their gardens and planting their fields, here, the farmer is 
obliged to wait, at least, a fortnight longer, till as Thompson, 
with some variation, says, 

" Thi-ough the lucid chambers of the south 

Looks out the joyous Spring, looks out and smiles." 

It is also true, that much earlier, than in many other places, not 
far remote from Gardnei-, with " congenial horrors," 

" Winter comes to rule the varied year 
Sullen and sad, with all his rising train — 
Vapors, and Clouds, and Storms." 

Let it not be supposed, however, that Gardner is so Alpine 
in its situation, as to make it altogether hazardous, for those 
loving to cultivate the soil, to attempt to draw forth, from its 
bosom, those products which it is able to yield. Though the 
season is somewhat more brief here, than in towns of less ele- 
vation, it is yet true that, from the middle of June to the mid- 
dle of September, there is a rapid development of the fruits 
of gardens, fields and orchards, which mature, in their season, 
into an ample i-eward to those who engage in their culture. It 
is no uncommon thing to see garden plots yielding all kinds of 
vegetables, which, for variety, size and richness, are not sur- 
passed by any raised in the state. Upon the southern exposure 
of these mound-like elevations, are matured large crops of In- 
dian corn, oats, rye and barley. Casting the seeds of such 
cereals, into the soil of these slopes, the farmer may ofier the 
prayer of the poet, with confident expectation of being heard 

and answered. 

" Be gracious Heaven ! for now laborious man 
Has done his part. Ye fostering breezes blow ; 
Ye softening dews, ye tender showers descend, 
And temper all, thou world reviving sun — 
Into a perfect year." 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 47 

However, since Gardner does not boast of its agricultural 
advantages, should we know of a young man, desiring to be- 
come a farmer, at all inclined to purchase land, for agricultural 
purposes, in this town, we should regard it as our bounden 
duty, to make all reasonable endeavor to dissuade him from 
carrying his desire into eifect, and with the distinguished Plor- 
ace Greeley, who possessed the eminent ability to tell what he 
knew about flirming, say to him, as a friend, " Go West young 
man." 

Climate. — The climate of Gardner, as has already been in- 
timated, is subject to great variations. The town is so situated, 
that, in the summer months, it enjoj's, almost constantly, the 
fresh cooling breezes that visit it from all quarters, while in the 
winter, the fierce winds, driving snow storms and severe cold, 
render the town, by no means attractive, to those accustomed to 
warmer latitudes. Occasionally, a spire is blown from a church, 
or portions of roofs are removed from the houses, by stormy 
winds, still, the inhabitants, somewhat accustomed to these 
frolics, are not themselves carried away, nor greatly alarmed. 
Indeed it has, for some years past, been the custom, in this 
town, to build most of the houses in winter, rather than in 
summer. For the most part, the inhabitants enjoy vigorous 
health and few die of pulmonary diseases. Such is the climate, 
here, in summer, that those who are suffering from the dust 
and heat and blistering walls of our great cities, could not find, 
in any of our country towns, a more delightful place than this, 
in which, to restore their wasted energies, and replenish them- 
selves with renewed life and increased vigor. We commend 
the town as an attractive sunnner resort. 

Hills. — The hills of Gardner, with their varied locations and 
altitudes, deserve special mention in this chapter. The au- 
thor is indebted to Mr. Aaron Greenwood, for many years, a 
successful surveyor of lands, in this, his native town, for the 
accuracy with which, he is enabled to present the elevations of 
these hills, above the railroad track, at the depot. Otter River 
and the Atlantic Ocean. The figures here ffiven, are from actual 



48 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



surveys by Mr. Greenwood. It will be seen, that there is quite 
an ascent to be made by the cars, in reaching Gardner, from 
Boston Bay. The highest point of land, over which the Hoosac 
Tunnel line passes, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Con- 
necticut River, is in the eastern part of this town, where it 
reaches an elevation of eleven hundred and six feet, above the 
ocean, running on a level, one mile, one hundred and twenty- 
six feet. 



HILLS AND ELEVATIONS. 






« SO 



Otter Eiver, where the Fitchburg Kailroad crosses it, in 
west part of Gardner, 

Fitchburg Kailroad track, 80 feet west of railroad bridge, 
near depots, 

B. F. Kendall Hill, 

Jackson Hill, l tt , , it- i n ^ West summit, 

!■ 1 TT-11 r Hubbard Kendall, < -n, ^ ™ -.- 
Jackson Hill, j ' ^ East summit, 

Wright Hill, (Prospect Hill,) in South Gardner, 

Greenwood Hill, 

Lynde Hill, originally called Pork Hill, now Peabody, . . 

Gates Hill, in East Gardner, 

Asa Ray Hill, in East Gardner, 

Temple Hill, 

Barber Hill, in South Gardner, 

Sills of Joel Matthews' house, 

Howe Hill, south of David Kelton's 

Bickford Hill, (Dr. Parker's,) 

Glazier Hill, highest land in Gardner, 



80 

82 

92 

91 

132 

138 

177 

179 

186 

201 

214 

218 

239 

256 



126 
206 
208 
218 
217 
258 
264 
303 
305 
312 
327 
340 
344 
365 
382 



912 

1038 
1118 
1120 
1130 
1129 
1170 
1176 
1215 
1217 
1224 
1239 
1252 
1256 
1277 
1294 



Besides these hills, there are others, whose altitudes are not 
given. They are Martin and Brooks' hills in the west part of 
the town, Coolidge and Beaman's hills, near Crystal Lake, and 
Bancroft's Hill on the west of the lake. 

Forests. — Originally this town was covered with a dense 
growth of timber, of great variety, consisting of rock and white 
maple, white and red ash, beech, birch, spruce and hemlock. 
In the west and southwest portions of the town, there were 
large, white pines, some of the trunks of which, have been seen 
by some of the present inhabitants of the town, in their pros- 
trate condition, giving evidence of the action of the beaver, 



HISTORY OF GABDNER, 49 

which here constructed his clam. At the present time, however, 
under the strokes of the greedy axe of the chair and pail 
maker, our ancient forests have all disappeared. There is how- 
ever, considerable growth of timber, of various kinds, upon 
our hillsides and low lands. 

Flora. — There is a great variety of wild flowers to be found, 
in our fields and forests and by the roadside. Berries, black, 
rasp and huckle, are abundant. The laurel, with its waxy leaf 
and flower, the elderberry, with its creamy petal and purple 
fruit, the sumach, with its flaming pompon, the goldenrod, the 
forerunner of autumn, the aster and the l)lue-fringed gentian, 
the red lily and purple orchis, spireas and thistles and ox-eyed 
daisies, too common and too selfish, with woodbine and clematis 
and wild grape, Avreathing stone Avails and entwining them- 
selves about old, ungainly apple trees, some father planted by 
the roadside, making it lovely and fragrant with their spicy fes- 
toons, embrace, in part, the flora of this town, while the trail- 
ing arbutus is welcomed as the early harbinger ot spring. 
Added to these wild wood flowers, we have garden plots sur- 
rounding many homes, bright Avith gay floAvers, and some suc- 
cessful horticulturists, Avho cultivate rarer exotic plants in con- 
servatories. 

Fauna. — Gardner, in its earlier days, Avas the abode of sev- 
eral Avild animals AAdiich have long since disappeared Avith the 
exception of an occasional fox. Tradition informs us that, 
upon the northern side of Crystal Lake, one Wilder, a mighty 
hunter, entrapped a bear that had for sometime y mused himself 
and appeased his hunger by devastating cornfields. His cap- 
ture Avas regarded, as a great event, in those days. Deer Avere 
also seen here, in considerable numbers, occasioning the ap- 
pointment of deer reeves. Considerable attention has been 
paid, AA'ithin the last fcAv years, to the culture of fish. In ac- 
cordance Avith a provision of the general statutes, the town 
authorized Mr. Levi Heywood, in 1874, to stock Crystal Lake 
with fish. He introduced betvA'een four and five hundred black 
bass and lake trout. Trout, pickerel, suckers and hornpout are 
7 



50 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

found, though not in great abundance, in some of our streams. 
Lakes. — Gardner has several artificial lakes or ponds, but 
few natural ones. Among the latter, is Crystal Lake, a name 
given it by vote of the town. This is a sheet of water, near 
the centre of the town, about one mile in length and one-half 
mile in Avidth. It covers one hundred and fifty-one acres of 
land and was originally called Wells Pond. It is beautifully 
bordered, in many places, with sturdy oaks and evergreens 
coming quite down to the surface. It is chiefly fed by springs, 
from the surrounding hills. Its waters, as its name indicates, 
are generally clear as crystal. It is unrivaled for beauty, in 
all the surrounding country. When, as Wordsworth sings in 
his " Evening Walk," 

" The whole wide lake in deep repose 
Is hushed and like a burnished mirror glows," 
or when, 

" 'Cross the calm lake's blue shade the cliiis aspire 
With towers and woods, a prospect all on fire," 

Crystal Lake sits and sparkles, upon the bosom of Gardner, 
like a precious gem, upon the breast of a princess. Upon its 
western border, is located Crystal Lake Cemetery. Farther 
towards the north, upon the same border, is Crystal Lake 
Grove, beautiful for situation, in a growth of pines, free from 
all underbrush, and admirably adapted, furnished as it is, with 
a pavilion, numerous swings, seats, tables, cooking and ice 
houses and many boats, to gratify the wants of the most fastid- 
ious pleasure seeker. This grove is under the control of the 
Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad corporation, who have 
spared no pains, in furnishing a special railroad track, leading 
directly into the grove, to make it easily accessible to visitors. 
For the last few years, this grove has been a favorite resort for 
Sabbath school picnic parties and others, from numerous towns 
and cities, both in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and is 
fully deserving all the patronage it has received, or is likely to 
receive in the future. This lake is also a much frequented re- 
sort for the lovers of aquatic sports, among our own citizens. 
Upon its clear, placid waters, may be seen, in the summer after- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 51 

noons and evenings, many row boats, shooting in all directions, 
while here and there, a small white sail appears,. wafting on- 
ward the listless sailors, while, 

" Soft bosoms breathe around contagious sighs 
And amorous music on the water dies." 
In winter, when, 

" The cherished fields 
Put on their winter robe of purest white," 

the lake is vocal, with the laughter and frolic of our youth of 
both sexes, as they " sweep on sounding skates, a thousand 
different ways, in circling poise," upon "a crystal pavement, 
by the breath of heaven cemented firm." In summer and win- 
ter, Crystal Lake, the pride of Gardner, is a thing of beauty, a 
joy forever. We are always, while viewing this lake, ready to 
say, with Mrs. E. Oakes Smith, 

" How beautiful the water is ! 

To me 'tis wondrous fair — 
No spot can ever lonely be 

If water sparkle there ; 
It hath a thousand tongues of mirth, 

Of grandeur, or delight. 
And every heart is gladder made 

When water gi'eets the sight." 

In the southwesterly part of Gardner, is Kendall Pond, while 
near it is a smaller one lying partly in Templeton. Also in the 
south part of the town, is the reservoir of Marcus Wright, 
forming, to one standing on Prospect Hill, skirted as it is, with 
trees, a beautiful foreground to Wachusett, at whose feet it 
sparkles, and upon whose surface, there are seen gliding, the 
boats of the pleasure seekers, from the pleasant grove upon its 
northern border. There is also, in the northeast part of the 
town, the Nashua reservoir, whose dam is in Ashburnham. 

Streams. — Forming a portion of the western boundary, be- 
tween Gardner and Templeton, is Otter River. This is the onl}^ 
stream, in Gardner, worthy of being called a river. It runs 
through the southwest portion of the town and having a general 
direction towards the north, it empties itself into Miller's River, 
beyond the limits of the town. We will now proceed to men- 



52 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

tion the several brooks, which winding sluggishh' through the 
town, empty themselves into this river. 

Bailey Brook. — This stream takes its rise on Raymond Hill 
in Winchendon, and running through the westerly part of Gard- 
ner, unites with Otter River, near what is now known as the 
shoddy mill. 

Kneeland Brook. — This brook having its rise on the same 
range of highlands and nearly parallel to Bailey Brook, empties 
itself into Otter River just below the saw-mill now owned by 
Dr. David Parker. 

Wilder Brook. — This brook rises between the two already 
mentioned, and after running in a southerly direction, unites 
with the Kneeland Brook, at the upper end of Dr. Parker's mill- 
pond. 

Foster Brook. — One branch of this brook takes its rise in the 
swamp near the house of Joel Matthews, and the other branch 
on or near the farm of Andrew J. Willis, and running in a 
southerly direction, enters Gardner Brook just above the mill 
of Horace F. Parker in South Gardner. 

There is another brook, which has its rise, on the height of 
land, near the house of Seth H. Temple. It runs in a north- 
easterly direction, into the reservoir of the Nashua Reservoir 
Company, near the house of Ebenezer Ballon, and forms a part 
of the head waters of the Nashua River. 

Pond Brook. — The outlet of Crystal Lake forms this small 
stream, which, proceeding in a southerly direction, empties into 
Otter River. 

Pew Brook. — This brook takes its rise some two miles to the 
northeast of Gates Swamp, in the southeast part of the town, 
and runs in a southwesterly direction, crossing East Street, and 
through a long strip of meadow, passing by the chair fac- 
tory of Thomas Greenwood, and crossing Partridge Street, to 
its junction with the main stream, in Spectacle Meadow. Pew 
Brook has several branches, one of which takes its rise in 
Westminster and enters this brook some rods below East Street ; 



HISTORY OF GARDNEB. 53 

a second branch, coming from Quag Pond, enters it just above 
Temple Street ; Pierce Brook rises about half a mile away, 
in a small swamp on the east side of Livermore Hill in West- 
minster, and runs westerly, and enters Pew Brook about one- 
eighth of a mile below Temple Street. 

Gardner Brook. — This brook rises in Westminster and runs 
in a northwesterly direction, supplying the reservoir of Marcus 
Wright, from whence, proceeding in a northerly direction, it 
receives the waters of Pew Brook, in Spectacle Meadow, thence 
running northerly, till it comes to the Boston, Bari'c and Gard- 
ner Railroad at South Main Street, where it receives the waters 
of Foster Brook, whence, curving to the south, it flows in a 
southwesterly direction, till it empties itself into Otter River, 
a short distance, from the pail factory of A. Bancroft & Co. 
These are all the streams, in town, worthy of mention. 

The following poem, by Mr. John C. Bryant of this town, 
was written some years since. It was originally recited in Phi- 
lokalia, a lodge of Good Templars. Sensible of some imper- 
fections in it, Mr. Bryant, at the request of the author, reluc- 
tantly yields it for publication, in this particular portion of 
this work : — 

TWILIGHT MUSINGS. 

Day was reclining in the lap of night, 

Clad in her robes of dim twilight. 

When I wandered to the crest of yonder hill, 

Which o'erlooks our village, there, when all was still, 

To feast on nature's works, before me spread, 

The land of the living, the home of the dead. 

Below me was the din and the strife, 

The care, the turmoil, of busy life. 

While to my ears, on passing breezes borne, 

Came the sound of laughter, the burst of song, 

Beside me, the robin poured his lay, 

Singing requiems to departing day. 

Before me, in the distant west, 

The golden sun, just gone to rest, 

Was sending back his latest ray. 



54 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

Tinging hilltop and vale, with beauty's play. 

Crimsoning the whole, with gloiy yet untold, 

Gilding yonder church spire, with its touch of gold, 

While the fleecy clouds, skirting the western sky. 

Were clothed in a resplendent canopy. 

Half pai'ted, by wilder breezes driven, 

Unveiled to me, the golden gateway to heaven. 

Just over there, all quiet and still, 

Rocked to sleep in the cradle of the hill. 

Was the Lake, whose sparkling, pearly wave 

Plashes on the beach, beside the quiet grave. 

Where the eglantine and ivy twine. 

The votive offering, at Frieudsliip's shrine. 

The blush roses bloom and the forget-me-not — 

Memory's gifts — adorn the cherished spot 

Where you and I, sometimes go to weep 

O'er the graves of loved ones, now asleep. 

Then my ravished sight, wandering o'er the scene. 

Was fixed, where, meandering, in paths of living green, 

The brook, with its silvery thread, ran splashing along, 

Singing in the solitude, old nature's cheery song. 

And then, from beauty's bower, peeping, blushingly forth. 

Half hid in sylvan shade, to veil its modest worth. 

The violet looked out ; beside it, the daisy with its petals white, 

With buttercups and pansies, reflecting the golden light. 

The bursting bud and blossom, in their fullest bloom. 

Harbingers of the harvest yet to come, 

All sparkling, with heavenly dewdrops wet, 

Decked earth, with gems fit for a coronet. 

In the north, old Monaduock rears his head on high, 

As if to scan the secrets of the upper sky. 

Then sunny Wachusett, our southern pride. 

With waving forests dotting its either side. 

Its uplifted peak, where tempests oft have frowned. 

Seems, just now, with golden glory crowned. 

Nestling at its foot, and half Avay up its side. 

Embowered in sylvan shades, by natnre beautified, 

The cottage stands, while here and there between. 

Like mirrors, set, all placid and serene, 



HISTORY OF GARDINER. 55 

Resting on earth's bosom, like fairest gems 

That deck beauty's form or monarch's diadems, 

Are lakes, to enhance the enchanting scene, 

Like pictures in a frame of living green. 

Beautiful ! beautiful ! I said, and a newer light 

Came into my soul, while far into the night 

I sat me there, on the verdant sod, 

In holy communion with nature's God. 

Tell me not, in your classic rhyme, 

Of Etrurian glades, or fair Italia's clime, 

Where no dark cloud ere dimmed the azure blue, 

And richest fruits, in profuse luxuriance grow. 

Or Switzerland's grandeur, or Alpine showers. 

Or sparkling fountain in old Alhambra's bowers. 

No ! no ! not these, my heart with purest pleasure thrills. 

But what I find on old New England's hills. 



56 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER III. 

CHARACTER OF THE INHABITANTS. 

" 111 fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, 

When wealth accumulates and men decay. 

Princes and lords may flourish, or miiy fade, 

A breath can make them as a breath has made ; 

But a bold peasauti-y their country's pride, 

When once destroyed can never be supplied." — Goldsmith. 

(^ \ jCCORDING to the information which we are able to glean, 
JSx. from such sources as are accessible, Gardner had, at its 
incorporation, a population of only about three hundred and 
seventy-five, embraced in about sixty families. At the present 
time, the inhabitants number about four thousand, among whom 
are many Irish and French, who are a very industrious and 
frugal people. These ancient families, Avere not clustered then, 
as most of our families are at the present time, in villages, but 
scattered far and wide over the entire surface of the town and 
accessible by rough and inconvenient roads. The geographical 
centre of the town, then, as now, was where stands the First 
Cong^regational Church. 

In speaking of the first settlers of this town, Ave are aware 
that there is some clanger of indulging in an undue and fulsome 
veneration of those who have preceded us. Still we do not 
think that we, of the present day, are justly chargeable with this 
infirmity, regarding our fathers. It is not possible, for any 
candid mind, to trace the deeds of these men, as they stand, 
recorded upon the yellow and dingy pages of our town records, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 57 

written, often in almost illegible chirography, and by no means 
fanltless orthography, and not feel like thanking God, from the 
depths of a heart overflowing with gratitude, that such men 
preceded us in laying the foundations of these institutions, 
whose benefits we to-day enjoy. The}'^ were no strangers to a 
variety of hardships and privations. They Avooed and wedded 
their wives and reared their children, amid the environments of 
poverty. In reflecting upon their toils and hardships, their 
wants and privations, their industry and frugality, the words of 
Gray, come forcibly to our minds, as admirably descriptive of 
their condition. 

" Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield 
Their farrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke ; 

How jocund did they drive their teams afield, 

How bowed the woods beueath their sturdy stroke. 

" Let not -ambition mock their useful toil, 

Their homely joj's and destinj'^ obscure ; 
Nor grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile. 

The short and simple annals of the poor. 

" Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. 

Their sober wishes never learned to stray ; 
Along the cool sequestered vale of life. 

They kept the noiseless tenor of their way." 

It is true that, compared with the demands of the imperious 
goddess. Fashion, at whose shrine, we all so devoutly worship, 
the wants of our fathers and mothers were few and simple. 
From the soil, we tread to-day, they wrung with unremitting 
labor, the products upon which themselves and their children 
subsisted. Then in almost all the dwellings of this town, 
might have been heard the whir of the old spinning wheel, 
which, under the skillful hand of the matron and her daughters, 
spun the warp and woof which afterwards, the swiftly flying 
shuttle, in the same dexterous hands, amid the rattle and thuds 
of the domestic loom, standing in the chamber above, con- 
structed into long webs of thick woolen cloth, in which, dressed 
at the neighboring mill and manufactured into suitable gar- 
ments, by the newsy, itinerant tailoress, the members of the 
household, defied the winter's cold. 



58 HISTORY OF GABDNER. 

In those days, our fotliers raised and thrashed, retted and 
broke, swinged and hatcheled, their own flax, which our moth- 
ers, with the distaff and spindle, of the busy foot-wheel, drew 
out into that fine linen thread which, combining with woolen 
yarn, they wrought into that once famous fabric, known as 
Imsey-woolsey, in Avhich they and their children clothed them- 
selves, as their every-day attire. With what an air of pomp 
and fresh importance, did the boys and girls of those days, carry 
themselves in their newly made garments. 

Those were days devoid of sham. The modern king, shoddy, 
had not then l)egun to display his art of making things not 
what they seem, days, when as Solomon says of the " virtuous 
woman," the housewife "did her husl)and good and not evil, 
all the days of her life, when she sought wool and flax and 
worked willingly with her hands, when she rose while it was 
yet night and gave meat to her household and a portion to her 
maidens, when she laid her hands to the spindle and her hands 
held the distaff, when she was not afraid of the snow for her 
household, for all her household were clothed with double gar- 
ments, when she made herself coverlets, and fine linen and sold 
it, and looked well to the ways of her own household and ate 
not the bread of idleness, when her children rose up and called 
her blessed, her husband also, and he praised her." 

Then it was, that instead of ready-made boots and shoes, 
now so abundantly supplied by our wholesale and retail stores, 
made to fit any and all feet, sewed with cable wire, or pegged 
by a machine, our fathers, taking the hide from their own fatted 
oxen, or calves, whose juicy meat they consumed in part, im- 
mediately, or stored in barrels for future use, carried it to the 
tanner and the leather dresser, and after it had been, for a long 
time, subjected to the process of tanning and dressing, brought 
home, and then summoning to the ancient kitchen, the shoe- 
maker, whose coming had long been anticipated, and whose 
bench and lap stone, clamps and "waxed ends" had come to 
be familiar objects in the farmer's dwelling, they bid him pro- 
ceed to the manufacture of the yearly supply of shoes, for the 
various members of the household. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 59 

What a scene of joy was that in these country homes. How 
gladly did Ebenezcr, Theophilus and David, Elizabeth, Rebecca 
and Rhoda, these last more modestlj^ step forward, at the in- 
vitation of this wonderful conjurer of leather, to be measured 
for their next pair of new shoes. Standing firmly against the 
side of the house, how heavily they pressed their feet, upon the 
measure of this domestic artist, that they might be sure of 
having their shoes of ample length and breadth. How eagerly 
they watched his motions from day to day, till ont of a chaos 
of leather, sole and upper, he formed, the long wished for 
articles, for the protection of their feet. 

In these early homes, instead of the modern furnace, range 
and stove, plumbed for a convenient supply of hot water, in all 
the rooms of the house, with sink and pump, making house- 
work so convenient, was seen only the old open fireplace, on 

whose side, 

" The crane and pendent trammels showed," 

where Avas piled the 

"Nightly stack 
Of wood against the chimney-back, — 
The oaken log, green, huge and thick, 
And on its top, the stout back-stick," 

sending out its light and heat, cheerily over the room, 

"On whitewashed wall and sagging beam, 
Until the old, rude-furnished room 
Burst, ilower-like, into rosy bloom." 

Before this great consumer of fuel, where roared the winter's 
blast, the busy housewife placed her covered tin baker, or 
erected her pewter or wooden plate, supported by brick or 
flat-iron, in which she cooked the yellow johnny-cake, or where, 
suspended by a line from the overhanging hook, vibrated and 
revolved the sparerib, or when grander occasions demanded, 
the Thanksgiving turkey, which coming well cooked, brown 
and smoking upon the clothless table, was food fit for the 
Olympian gods. Then too, there was the good old brick oven, 
now obsolete, in modern houses, standing grim and firm, upon 
the side of the fireplace, with its big mouth and capacious in- 
terior, from which, having been well heated and carefully 



60 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

cleared with the lono-, iron haudled shovel, the good woman, 
every Sabbath morning, drew forth her brown bread, not then 
called " Boston brown bread," Indian pudding, tremulous like a 
mass of jelly, with its OAvn golden richness, and baked beans, 
which, having stood all night, imprisoned within these brick 
walls, came out properly cooked, and fragrant Avith the im- 
parted juice of well f;ittened pork, culinary products, surpassing 
the power of more recent arrangements to produce, fitted in all 
respects, to satiate the appetite, which their sight and perfume 
awakened. 

In striking contrast, with the luxurious appliances of our 
modern homes, with their richly carpeted floors, their costly, 
upholstered chairs, their velvety lounges and sofas, their many 
conveniences of closets and pantries, their bay windows and 
conservatories, where all winter long, bloom flowers of rare 
beauty and fragrance, all Avarm and comfortable, from cellar to 
attic, by the agency of the ever busy furnace, oi* steam boiler, 
or coal stove, stood the old farm house, with its ample kitchen, 
by whose fireside, stood the old settle, with its high back, while, 
in some angle of the room, was seen the dresser, with its nu- 
merous shelves, burdened with dishes and cooking utensils, 
where, as Longfellow says, 

"The pewter plates ou the dresser, 
Caught and reflected the flame, as the shields of armies, the sunshiue." 

Instead of the modern lucifer-match which, like some men, 
is always ready to blaze with the slightest friction, they had 
only the old tinder-box, with its flint, which, as Brutus says, 

" Much enforced, shows a hasty spark 
And straight is cold again." 

Or sometimes failing in this, they were compelled to resort to 
the neighbors, with the " slice," to borrow fire, ere they could 
cook their morning meal. Instead of the beautiful gas jet, or 
the brilliant kerosene lamp, they were obliged to grope their 
way through the darkness, with the dimly burning lamp, odor- 
ous with the oil of the whale, or the tallow candle, set in tin 
candlesticks or blocks of wood, which the patient housewife 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 61 

had " dipped" or run in moulds, or sometimes with the blazing 
pine knot. Instead of the copper pump, with its poisonous lead 
pipe, standing so conveniently by the sink, within the house, 
our fathers were satisfied to draw water with the well-sweep, to 
whose pole was attached 

" The iron bound bucket, the moss covered bucket, which hung in tlie well." 
They had not then learned the refined art of introducing into 
their bodies, the slow poisons, of our modern conveniences, by 
which, through impure air and water, the health, vigor and life 
of our citizens, are secretly stolen away. When they drank 
water, they took it directly, cool and sparkling, from the deep 
well; when the}' drank cider, or New England rum, as indeed 
they often did, these liquors were free from all adulterations so 
familiar to those, now indulging in such death dealing bever- 
ages. In this respect, they were more fortunate than those 
who have followed them. 'Then instead of havins; the advan- 
tage of railroads, bringing their ponderous trains of merchan- 
dise to the town, in less than a day, from the sea board, the 
men of those times, were compelled to "ship" their goods 
upon the backs of horses, or, in later times, upon large teams 
which, Avith their four or six horses, or an equal number of 
oxen, made their long, laborious journey's, from country to city 
and from city to country again, carrying their agricultural 
products to Boston and returning with " West India Goods." 

How tardily, in those days, did the news creep up over these 
hills. No daily pajjer found its way, as with us, to the hand of 
the fathers. They were not pestered with yesterday's doings, 
in Washington, California, Europe or India. Yet, were they 
not long ignorant of important events, at home and abroad. 

" The flying rumors gather'd as they roll'd. 
Scarce any tale was sooner heard than told ; 
And all who told it added something new. 
And all who heard it made enlargement too, 
In every ear it spread, on every tongue it grew." 

Not favored, like thqir descendants, with advantaires for irdn- 

eral education and mental culture, they were accustomed to 

look to the parish minister for needed information. Hence, 



62 ' HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

they were anxious to attend church, on the Sabbath, that they 
might keep themselves informed, upon subjects of interest to 
them, as well as to hear the truth, given them from the word 
of God. And when in the sanctuary, on the Sabbath, they in- 
dulged in none of those enervating practices so common to 
worshippers of the present time. They sat on no cushioned 
seats, in a church whose atmosphere was warmed by stoves or 
furnaces. The foot stove only, within whose perforated walls, 
they placed the dish of glowing coals, supplied the women 
with warmth for their feet. In winter they found their way to 
church, often on ox sleds, through deep snows. In other sea- 
sons of the year, they rode to church, on horseback, the father 
upon the saddle, in front of whom, sometimes, rode one of the 
children, while upon the pillion behind him, sat the wife, with 
another and younger child in her lap, around whom she held 
one arm, while with the other, she steadied herself in her ex- 
alted position. 

In those days, the now almost forgotten "horse-block," was 
an essential part of church furnishing, upon which the people 
dismounted and mounted their steeds, as they came and went 
on the Sabbath. In this mode of conveyance, in which they 
had before their eyes, no fear of a Bergh nor any of the agents 
of the " Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals," they 
were entirely unlike their children, who, if they attend church 
at all, are rolled thither in elegant carriages or walk along well 
graded streets or upon sidewalks, that are yet to be greatly ex- 
tended and improved. But, while the circumstances of our 
fathers, obliged them to practice the now almost forgotten arts 
of prudence and economy, they yet were not open to the 
charge of niggardliness and pai'simoniousness. They had little 
ready money and this not easily obtained. They felt keenly 
the effects of a greatly depreciated currency. Their taxes were 
necessarily burdensome and the means, with which, to pay them 
were small. Yet they did not fail honorably to meet the de- 
mands, which public worship, public education and municipal 
authority made upon them, as will be seen farther on. Al- 



HISTORY OF GARDJS^ER. 63 

though they were destitute of public libraries, they were not 
unacquainted with many religious, literary, historical and bio- 
graphical works. They were familiar with the Bil)le, the great 
educator, Pilgrims' Progress and many of the standard English 
poets. They read the sermons of the eminent pastors, of some 
of our early New England pulpits, from whom, they derived 
the inspiration of a more exalted patriotism. Furnished thus, 
they were not wanting in the possession of general intelligence. 
We are not to think of them, surrounded as they were, by 
privations, as altogether devoid of the sources of domestic and 
social enjoyments. They had their seasons of festivity and 
hilarity. If they toiled hard, in the open field, in the season of 
seed time and harvest, they yet found time, in winter, for those 
social gatherings, either in their own homes, or at the village 
tavern, 

" Where gray-beard mirth and smiling toil retir'd 
Where village statesmen talk'd with looks profound, 
And news much older than their ale went round." 

In their social assemblies, from house to house, in the au- 
tumn and winter months, the young men and maidens solaced 
themselves in the dance, not in the objectionable modes of 
more recent times, but in the use of those well approved " fig- 
ures," with the dancing of which, the most orthodox dame 
could find no cause for censure. Those were days of husking 
bees, when all the neighborhood, both men and women, came 
together for a jovial time, when, having finished the corn heap, 
they repaired to the house, where, upon long rows of tables, 
busy hands had placed an abundance of pumpkin pies, and 
other viands, equally inviting to the hilarious assembly. Among 
the women, there were nimierous carding, quilting and paring 
bees, where many hands made quick work ; while among the 
men, there were not wanting, occasions of local excitement, 
such as chopping bees, wrestling matches, raisings. May train- 
ings and annual musters. 

Those were times, the like of which, we shall never see 
again. Then, a raising, was a public event, fitted to interest 



04 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

everybody, even those in adjoining towns, because there was 
something to be raised. Then, such was the abundance of 
timber, there was gathered upon the spot, where the building 
was to be erected, no undistinguishable, chaotic mass of kimber, 
of despicable dimensions, such as one sees now-a-days, and 
which the carpenter, single-handed, proceeds, with nails and 
hammer, to set up, as the " frame'' of a house, but the strong 
oaken timber was there, well hewed, jointed, and seasoned, 
ready, like the different pi^rts of Solomon's Temple, to be set, 
each piece, in its proper place, by the exertions of strong, brave 
men. That was a scene of unusual interest and excitement. 
From all [)arts, men assembled, with the I'esolution of triumph 
in their mien, with iron bars, mallets and hammers. They lifted 
and tugged, in unity of action, until the raising had been 
effected. Nor were they, in all this, unmindful of the better 
things yet to be revealed, when their task had been accom- 
plished. They knew that custom demanded of him, who had 
invited them to assist him, a bountiful supply of good rum, 
with plenty of sugar to make it palatable, and a generous 
offering of food. They knew also, that there were to be trials 
of muscular skill and strength, in the wrestling of strong men, 
for the championship of the town, or vicinage. 

Then, too, Ave should not forget the good old days of our 
fathers, when every able bodied man, from eighteen to forty- 
five, was a soldier, su1)ject to military duty, Avhen the spirit of 
'76 still fired the hearts of the people, when every town had its 
May training, its quota of old, flint-lock muskets, powder house 
and other military furnishings, required by the state ; Avhen 
regimental musters, in the Autumn, were grand occasions, to 
all the vicinity, when, as John Milton says, there were, "our 
trained bands, which are the trustiest and most proper strength 
of a free nation ;" when the boys, too young to train, Avent to 
the " battle field," not like David, to carry cheeses and parched 
corn, to their brethren, but to eat baker's gingerbread and 
candy, and to stare, Avith open mouths, at voluble hucksters, 
us they haAvked their Avares ; or to look, Avith wondering eyes. 



HI8T0BY OF GARDNER. 65 

like Pickwick, upon the rhythmical movements of the battalions, 

as, with musket, knapsack, powder horn and canteen, they 

marched and countermarched, and performed their mysterious 

evolutions, upon the field where 

" From the glittering staff unfurled 
The imperial ensign, which, full high advanced, 
Shone like a meteor, streaming to the wind, 
With gems and golden lustre emblazed." 

How marvellously did the officers appear, as they marched at 
the head of their companies, or flitted across the campus on 
mettled steeds, with distended nostrils and foaming mouths, or 
prancing in side-long motions, excited by the music of 

'• Sonorous metal, blowing martial sounds," 
from all the assembled and tumultuous regimental bands. How 
these wondering boys watched the motions of " the general 
commanding," or other superior officer, wdio, with all "the 
pomp and circumstance of glorious war," galloped down upon 
some careless or straggling company, to utter, in guttural 
tones, the command, that brought them into military line ao-ain. 
How they gazed upon the cavalry, as they advanced, " on 
sounding hoofs," splendid in their burnished accoutrements 
fitted to " witch the world with noble horsemanship," and 
finally, how their nerves thrilled, with excitement, as they 
witnessed the " sham fight," between companies, selected for 
the high endeavor, of firing blank cartridges at each other, in 
imitation of battles more serious. 

We may talk humorously of these days of May trainings, 
and annual musters, but let us not forget their wonderfully 
beneficial effect in keeping aglow, in the minds of our country- 
men, the military spirit, out of which, sprung the achievements 
connected with our national independence. With 

" The drum 
And the vile squeaking of the wry-neck'd fife," 

our fathers kept alive, in themselves and their children, the 
determination to maintain their country's rights, in the face of 
all opposition, at home and abroad, and we honor them for so 
doing, for, 

9 



6e HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

' ' War is honorable 
In those who do their native rights maintain ; 
In tlaose whose swords an iron barrier are 
Between the lawless spoiler and the weak." 

They were living in times of great and general excitement 
throughout the whole nation, when, on all these hillsides and 
up and down these valleys, questions of state and nation were 
lai'gely and intelligently discussed. Their town meetings were 
no tame affairs. The citizens had before them, for settlement, 
matters of vital concern to them, and grandly and heroically did 
the}'' meet them. Hence, considering the times in which they 
lived, and the topics which they had to discuss and settle, in 
their town meetings, the exertions they were compelled to 
make for a livelihood, and for independent existence, as a town- 
ship, we may conclude that, in the veins of our fathers, there 
was no stagnant blood. We may say of our ancestors, consid- 
ering their necessities, that they were men and women of pro- 
digious industry, who ate not the bread of idleness. In heat 
and cold, seed time and harvest, they were busy and frugal, 
seeking, by all honest endeavors, to wrench, from a hard, 
unkindly soil, an honorable livelihood. Their children were 
taught how to work, within doors and without. They tolerated 
no idle drones. 

Their sons were brought up in habits of industry and economy, 
and early made to feel the necessity of bearing some part in 
their own maintenance. They either worked on the fiii'm, or 
were indentured, as apprentices, to some one, who should give 
them a good trade and, at their majority, a suit of clothes and 
whatever else might be specified in the indenture. Their daugh- 
ters were taught to spin and weave, and do all kinds of domes- 
tic work, and sometimes to help in the fields, in planting and 
harvesting. They were taught the rudiments of common learn- 
ing. They could read, write and spell, in a fashion, not excelled, 
nor even equaled, by their successors. They were not wanting, 
in a good knowledge of arithmetic, as far as the " Rule of 
Three." Thus furnislied, these sons and daughters went forth, 
into the work of life, not to feed on already accumulated patri- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 67 

monies, but to make their omii way in the world, by the sweat 
of their own faces. If they were deprived of many things, 
now enjoj^ed by their children, they yet might say, with Gold- 
smith, that, 

" Their best companions were iunocence and health, 
And their best riches ignorance of wealtli." 

Our fathers were men who feared God and honored their rulers, 
over whom they dared to exercise a Avatchful care, and to whom, 
they sometimes hesitated not, to administer sound advice. They 
were accustomed " to look quite through the deeds of men," to 
know their civil and religious rights, and were determined to 
secure and maintain them, in a sj^irit of independence, scornful 
of all undue interference ; 

" Contentment shares their desolate domain, 
With Independence, child of high disdain." 

It is no matter ot surprise then, that, endowed as the early in- 
habitants of this town were, with independence, fortitude, 
industry, frugality and a high sense of honor, in the discharge 
of their obligations to God and man, they should have achieved 
the end they had in view, in establishing this town and making 
it an honored constituent of the state and nation. In their 
praiseworthy conduct, they have left, a heritage of blessing, to 
their children and have taught them a lesson of self-reliance, 
which they are not in immediate danger of forgetting ; while, 
they reverently cherish their memories, as worthy to be en- 
shrined in their own. 

Ever since its incorporation, Gardner has been constantly 
increasing, in growth of population and in all the elements of 
municipal prosperity. As has been said, in the beginning of 
this chapter, the population, at the time of incorporation, was 
about three hundred and seventy-five ; in seventeen hundred and 
ninety, when the tirst United States census of the town was 
taken, there were five hundred and thirty-one ; in eighteen 
hundred, there were six hundred and sixty-seven ; in eighteen 
hundred and ten, there were eight hundred and fifteen ; in 
eighteen hundred and twenty, there were nine hundred and 



68 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

eleven ; iu eighteen hundred and thirty, there were ten hundred 
and twenty-three ; in eighteen hundred and forty, there w^ere 
twelve hundred and sixty ; in eighteen hundred and fifty, there 
were fifteen hundred and thirty-three ; in eighteen hundred and 
sixty, there were two thousand, six hundred and forty ; in 
eighteen hundred and seventy, there were three thousand, three 
huudred and thirty-three ; in eighteen hundred aud seventy- 
five, there were three thousand, seven hundred and thirty-four. 
At the present time, this number is, probably, increased to about 
four thousand. Thus it will be seen, that Gardner has been 
constantly on the increase, in the number of its inhabitants, 
from the conmiencement of its history. 

The early settlers were mostly English in descent, but within 
the past thirty years, there has been a gradual increase of Irish 
and French, till now the foreign born population and their 
descendants, constitute quite a per cent, of the whole number 
of inhabitants. Within the last twenty years the town has 
taken a fresh start, in its growth, having nearly doubled the 
number of its inhabitants. This increase has created a neces- 
sity for more houses and stores, as Avell as for new streets. 

Going back fifty years, we should find only a few houses stand- 
ing upon the ground now occupied by the three villages 
of Gardner. Beginning at Gardner Centre, we should find, 
east of the common, the house of Mr. Francis Richardson; 
where now stands the Town Hall, stood the house of Mr. Ben- 
jamin Hey wood, since moved to a site south of the hall. Pur- 
suing our way westward, we should come to the house of Mr. 
William S. Lynde, on Lynde Street. Still advancing west, we 
should come upon the small, brown house, located just west of 
the Chapel, recently vacated by the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Upon the side hill, west of Crystal Lake, we should find the 
house of Dea. Smyrna W. Bancroft. 

Going south, on Pleasant Street, we should find the little, 
old, unpainted house, ni)on the hill, near the residence of Mrs. 
Eliza Wright. Upon the side of the Fitchbm-g Railroad, the 
house of Mr. Edward Greenwood. Coming back to the Centre, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 69 

and oroiiiir down Elm Street, we should find the house now 
owned by Francis P. Learned ; still farther south, that now 
owned by Dea. Henry Lawrence, erected by Rev. Mr. Osgood, 
the first pastor, for his own residence ; while on the left of Elm 
Street, south of the house of Simeon HoAve, we should find 
the small, brown house uear the railroad bridge ; crossing the 
railroad bridge, we should find, upon the east side of Kendall 
Hill, the house, which still retains its position, upon that slope. 
Going east from the Town Hall, we should find the house now 
owned by Mr. John Allen, and that of Mr. Webster Gates, in 
which the first chair was made, in this town. On Cherry Street, 
we should find the house now owned by Mr. William Austin. 
Most of these houses are in good repair and still occupied. 

Comparing the town, then, with its present condition, we 
shall see a vivid and striking contrast. Where there were only 
a few, scattered houses, we have the three villages, into which, 
most of our population is crowded, whose locations seem to 
have been determined by the direction of the streams, upon 
which they are placed. At the conmieucement of the town's 
history, there were probably not far from sixty houses in town, 
most of which could not have been, in any modern sense, very 
elegant. At the present time, the number of residences, in 
Gardner, is seven hundred, thirteen and one-half, the other 
half of one of the houses being in Westminster. Several resi- 
dences, in the town, at the present time, are both elegant and 
costly, having all modern appliances of hot and cold water, 
with all their rooms arranged, for lighting by gas. Among 
those deserving of special mention, in this class, are the houses 
of Messrs. Levi HeyAvood, Seth Hey wood, Henry Hey wood 
and Philander Derby at the Centre, while the beautiful and 
costly house of S. K. Pierce adorns the South Village. Some 
of the residences are beautiful for situation, as those of C. W. 
Conant and Jonathan L. Alger at the Centre and that of Milton 
M. Favor, upon the summit of Peabody Hill, while the dwellers 
upon Wright's Hill, in South Gardner, are no less fortunate in 
their location. 



70 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Most of the neatly painted and blinded homes, now adorning 
our three villages, have been erected or purchased by their 
present occupants, whose industry and economy have enabled 
them to possess them. This is especiall}- true of the Irish 
portion of our population, who, as a ride through the parts of 
the town occupied by them, will show, have not only builded 
themselves neat little cottages, but have subdued and made 
fertile the many tracts of land upon which their houses stand, 
whose beauty and verdure, remind one of the Green Isle, from 
whence they came. Aside from residences of comfort and 
beauty, the town boasts of a Town Hall at the Centre, erected 
in 18(50, with an audience room capable of seating about 
nine hundred, beneath which, are several stores, and the 
Post Office. In all parts of the town, churches, of modern 
construction, school houses, well adapted to their uses, stores 
of all sorts and markets well supplied, together with many 
chair, pail, cane, toy and tin shops and photographic galleries, 
besides a foundry, machine shops and printing office, all in their 
varied ways, bear witness to the spirit of enterprise and thrift, 
which are characteristics of the sons, as they were of the fathers. 
The people of this town are, and ever have been, remarkable 
for their industry. Consequently there is but little idleness or 
loafing. The men, who are not enira«ed in farminsf, work in 
our many shops, while many of the women are employed in 
seating, or weaving cane into webs, with which chairs are seated. 
Wisdom, enterprise and skill are every where manifest, in all 
ihe business men of the place. Prudent and cautious, they 
have generally been able to bear themselves safely through all 
financial exigencies. There have of course been pecuniary 
reverses among the business portions of our population, in 
past times, as there have been in all communities, but resiliency 
of spirit, real pluck, and a determination not to be long baffled, 
in their plans for future success and final triumph, have gener- 
ally carried our citizens through all their troubles and failures, 
and brought them safely to a secure financial footing. 



HI8T0RY OF GARDJSTER. 71 

The town is remarkable for the fact, that all its wealth has 
been developed out of its own brain and brawn. The wealthy 
men of Gardner to-day, have not become so by inheritance. 
They have, by hard labor, good management and careful hus- 
bandry of their resources, risen from almost absolute penury, 
to their present position of pecuniary strength. It is not easy 
to ascertain the amount of the valuation of the town, at its in- 
corporation, no record being accessible to the writer, but it 
must have been small. Upon the first day of May, 1877, the 
total valuation of the town was two millions, sixty-six thousand, 
five hundred and thirty-three dollars. This shows that our 
citizens have neither been idle nor prodigal. But while all the 
wealth of the town has been developed within its own borders, 
none having been brought from other towns or cities, it is also 
true, that much of the money made here, in former times, has 
been taken away to enrich other places, as, for instance, our 
neighboring city Fitchburg. It may, without boasting, be 
truthfully said, that the citizens of Gardner are an intelligent, 
contented, hardworking, undemonstrative and hospitable people. 
While they quietly rejoice in all signs of gradual, yet perma- 
nent growth, in all the elements of municipal strength, they 
are not given to sounding their own greatness, in the public 
ear. They are, nevertheless, willing to have all visitors, like 
Antipholus, " view the manners of the town, peruse the traders, 
gaze upon the buildings," and render their verdict concerning it. 



72 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER ly. 

THE TOWN AS CONNECTED WITH STATE AND NATIONAL AF- 
FAIRS— SHAYS' REBELLION. 

" Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, 

I see the lords of liunian liind pass by ; 

Intent on high designs, a tlioughtful band, 

By forms unfashiou'd, fresh from nature's hand, 

Fierce in their native hardiness of soul. 

True to imagin'd right, above control ; 

While e'en the peasant boasts these rights to scan. 

And learns to venerate himself as man." 

— Goldsmith's Traveller. 

"And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and 
every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he 
became a captain over them." — 1 Samuel 22 :2. 

NO sooner hud the town been established, than it began to 
be disturbed by those commotions, which grew out of 
state and national affairs. The Revolutionary war had but 
recently closed, leaving many of those baneful effects, which 
are the inevitable results of war. Among these results, was a 
depreciated, and constantly depreciating currency. 

"Upon July 22d, 1775, the Continental Congress ordered 
two millions of dollars to be issued, on bills of credit, for carry- 
ing on the war, for the defence of the country. The same 
expedient was resorted to, by many of the particular states, so 
that the country was immediately flooded, with paper bills of 
every denomination, and specie was banished from circulation. 
The sudden issue of large sums and the financial distress of 



HISTOBY OF GABDNER. 73 

the government of the confederation, as well as the several 
state governments, soon destroyed the credit of the bills, so 
that they gradnally ceased to circnlate, after the 21st of August, 
1781. This currency continued to be used until its bulk, for 
the common purposes of trade, became cumbersome to the 
person. A year before it ceased circulating, it required sixty 
dollars to purchase a bushel of corn and fifteen dollars to pur- 
chase a pound of butter, and much larger sums were afterwards 
necessary, to procure the same articles."* 

These were times, in which, as Dr. Witherspoon once said, 
" debtors were pursuing their creditors," with their abundance 
of paper money, anxious to obtain their discharge before the 
value, of what was called money, should become less, or entirely 
worthless. 

A little earlier than the times, of which we write, prices were 
thus reported, by John Adams, in one of his letters to his wife, 
in the following words : " Prices current, four pounds a week 
for board, besides finding your own washing, shaving, candles, 
liquors, pipes, tobacco, wood, etc. Thirty shillings a week for 
a servant. It ought to be thirty shillings for a gentleman and 
four pounds for the servant, because he generally eats twice as 
much and makes twice as much trouble. Shoes, five dollars a 
pair. Salt, twenty-seven dollars a bushel. Butter, ten shillings 
a pouTid. Punch, twent}^ shillings a bowl." 

How enormous was the depreciation of the Continental Cur- 
rency, may be seen also, from the following waggish notice in 
the New York Gazette for Oct. 28, 1775: "Wanted by a 
gentleman fond of curiosities, who is shortly going to England, 
a parcel of Congress Notes, with which he intends to paper 
some rooms. Those who wish to make something of their 
stock in that commodity, shall, if they are clean and fit for the 
purpose, receive at the rate of one guinea per thousand for all 
they can bring before the expiration of. the present month. 
Inquire of the printer. N. B. — It is expected they will be 
much lower. 

*Robert Eantoul, Jr., on Banks. 

10 



74 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

It is a fact, within the memory of those still living, that 
sharp, nnfecling men, in those clays, came out into the country, 
from the cities, and purchased farms, paying for them in Con- 
tinental money, which soon became worthless to the receiver, 
so that, in reality, he lost his farm. But, if some men, who 
were in debt to others, were anxious to pay, because they had 
the money, there Avere, on the other hand, those in debt, who 
were not able to pay. Hence they were greatly distressed, by 
suits, brought against them. Creditors fell, without mercy, 
upon their debtors, and for want of better laws, regarding these 
matters, he who first laid suit, had his full claim allowed. If 
anything was left, the next Avho came, was, in like manner, 
served, till all were paid, or the man's possessions had been all 
taken away. Suits, at this time, were surprisingly numerous ; 
no less than two thousand acti(jns were entered, during the year 
1784, in the Court of Common Pleas at Worcester. This was, 
considering the population at that time, a great number, and 
serves to give us some clearer idea, of the troubles and incon- 
veniences, which the people of this country, were then called to 
endure. 

Whoever shall take the pains to review the journals of the 
Massachusetts House of Representatives, for the period of 
which we are now speaking, will be struck with the frequency, 
with which petitions, from many of the towns of the state, are 
there found, praying for abatement of taxes, on account of ina- 
bility to pay. These petitions are an indication of the universal 
distress, that was then telt, on account of depreciated currency, 
combined with other causes. 

The result was great and general distress and impending 
financial ruin. The people, thus disturbed, would naturally 
look to the state government for relief. It was with our fathers, 
as it is Avith us ; if there are hard times, growing out of the 
unsettled condition of the currency, or from an overstocking of 
the markets of the world, or from whatever cause, there is 
always a feeling, resting in the public mind, that the government 
is responsible, and if one administration cannot remove the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 75 

troubles, another must be substituted for it. In America, from 
the beginning, every man regards himself, as a political econo- 
mist, equal to Smith, Mill, Bowen, or Wayland, and fully com- 
petent to point out the causes of all financial ditficulties, and 
the wisest manner, in which they may be remedied. 

At all events, the average citizen is confident that the state, 
or general government is responsible for the results of those 
laws of political economy, which are as inexorable, in their 
action, as the law of gravitation, and to the discharge of this 
responsibility, he holds public officials with an unyielding grip. 
This disposition, manifests itself, in the early history of this 
town. Though a new and very obscure town, there was a de- 
termination, to make themselves heard, on the part of the early 
inhabitants. They were poor and but little known, yet they 
were not afraid to make such demands, upon the state or 
national officials, as they felt their circumstances demanded. 
They shared with other towns and counties, in the state, the 
feeling, that something should be done to redress their wrongs. 

The spirit of discontent, so rife in all parts of the state, took 
palpable form, in County Conventions, which were held in 
178G, at Concord, Leicester, Paxton and Hartfield. In these 
conventions, questions like these, had grave discussion, as is 
evident from the records of this and other towns : Sitting of 
the General Court in Boston ; the want of a circulating sys- 
tem ; the abuses, in the practice of the law, and the exorbi- 
tance of the fee table ; the existence of the Court of Common 
Pleas, in their present mode of administration ; the appro- 
priating the revenue, arising from the impost and excise, to the 
payment of the state securities ; the unreasonable and unneces- 
sary grants made by the General Court, to the Attorney Gen- 
eral and others ; tlie servants of the government being too 
numerous, and having too great salaries ; the existence of the 
Senate.* 

These were heavy grievances, upon the hearts of our early 
townsmen, which they sought, in what they considered, the best 



*See Marvin's History of Winchendon, p. 107. 



76 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

way, to remove. If, from Ji misunderstanding of the real 
functions and powers of the government, or if from a too great 
jealousy of other, more densely populated, portion of the state, 
they, in the clearer light of our present knowledge, and expe- 
rience, conducted themselves impatiently and unwisely, we 
nevertheless, cannot fail to admire the manly spirit, with which 
they bore themselves, iu those times. We must remember that 
they were, some of them, fresh from the achievements of their 
national independence, whose import, they perhaps did not 
fully comprehend. They were men of clear heads and intelli- 
gent minds. They had a broad sense, through which they Avere 
able to discern their troubles, if they were not able always to 
give a clear diagnosis of them. They were men, little learned, 
in the lore of a wise statesmanship. They could not produce 
a written document, whose grammatical merits, would leave 
nothing to be desired by Richard Grant White. And yet, they 
were not wanting in just that ability which enabled them to 
secure their ends. Indeed, what is generally called " book 
learning," is not always essential to the greatest efficiency, 
or highest success in life, so that a man has brains, and a suffi- 
cient amount of vital force to work them vigorously. It is said 
that, "as late as the fourteenth century, Du Guesclin, Consta- 
ble of France, the greatest man in the state, and one of the 
greatest men of his age, could neither read nor write." 

With all their disadvantages, in matters of general culture, 
there is something of real manhood and lofty spirit, which our 
fathers have left recorded upon these murky records, that chal- 
lenges our admiration. They were freemen, and as such, they 
felt it to be a solemn duty to see that the repul)lic should re- 
ceive no detriment. For them, there was no need of the prayer 
of Cicero, for the Conscript Fathers, " that it might indeed be 
written, upon the forehead of every one of the citizens, what 
he thought concerning the republic," for every man was so full 
of interest, in public matters, that he found it easy to make 
known his feelings, upon matters of highest concermiient in the 
state and nation. 



H18T0RY OF GARDNER. 11 

Hence, though few in number, our fathers, hi the very infancy 
of their corporate existence, did not hesitate to utter their sen- 
timents in the hearing of tlie governor and his council, as we 
shall find, in what now follows. In those events, of public 
interest, Avhich agitated the state, at this time, to which refer- 
ence has been made in this chapter, our fathers bore an impor- 
tant part. At this precise period, we shall find this spirit of 
discontent and jealousy, cr^'stallizing itself into armed force, 
preparing to resist opp'.-ession and maintain personal and mu- 
nicipal rights. In order to carry out this purpose, parties, 
called Regulators, were formed all over the state, whose object 
was to take the redress of public grievances into their own 
hands. As Regulators, their intention, if circumstances favored, 
was to regulate the affairs of the state and to see that they, at 
least, secured their own rights. In a somewhat milder sense, 
than the term is usually employed, they were an armed mob, 
willing to be orderly and Avell behaved, if their wishes should 
be consulted and gratified, but ready to shed blood if they 
were not. 

Among the leaders in this mobocracy, was a man known by 
the name of Capt. Shattuck. He had been arrested and was, 
at this time, confined in jail. His confinement gave great 
uneasiness, especially to those who were in sympathy with the 
Regulators, and even to some who were not, and yat, who 
desired the peace and happiness of the state, through the enjoy- 
ment of equal rights. As a consequence of this general feeling, 
a County Convention, was called, to meet at Paxton, the 26th 
day of November, 1786, whose object may be indicated in the 
following vote of the town, and in the instructions given the 
delegate chosen to sit in that convention. 

The town meeting was called, especially, as the warrant 
reads, " To see if the town Avill choose a person to sit in con- 
vention, at Paxton, on Tuesday, the twenty-sixth day of this 
instant, agreeable to a letter sent to this town, for that purpose, 
or act anything relating thereunto as the town shall think best 
when met. Met agreeable to warrant. Voted, To send a man 



78 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

to the convention at Paxton. Made choice of Capt. Samuel 
Kelton,to sit in convention, at Paxton, on Tuesday, the twenty- 
sixth day of September, 1786. Voted, To choose a committee 
of three to give directions to the delegate, namely : William 
Bickford, David Foster, Elijah Wilder, committee." The com- 
mittee made their report as follows : 

Whereas, The difficulties and tumults that are rising, by 
reason of the scarcity of money and large salaries to support 
government, and high tax of officers at large, we desire that 
you will use your influence, that these salaries may be taken 
down, and salaries given, that may be handsome for their sup- 
port, and not too burdensome to the people at large, and that 
the lawyers and inferior courts, may be entirely annihilated, 
and also that the General Court, might not make any grants of 
state lands, to any person, except it is to pay state charges. 
Also that the General Court may be removed, out of Boston, 

into some country to\Vn. 

William Bickford, ^ 
David Foster, > Cotiimittee. 

Elijah Wilder, ) 

Gardner, Sept. 25th, 1786. 

Voted, To accept the report of this committee. 
To Capt. Samuel Kelton, chose to sit in convention. 

It is not certain that an}- of the citizens of Gardner, actively 
participated in the opposition then raised against state govern- 
ment. It will, however, be seen, by the instructions given to 
the delegate chosen to sit in convention, at Paxton, that they 
possessed emphatic ideas, upon the scarcity of money, high 
salaries, which, while they were willing to have "handsome," 
they desired to have " taken down," and that the " lawyers and 
inferior courts should be entirely annihilated." They also had 
so little regard for what has since been called the Athens of 
America, as to desire that the General Court should be removed 
out of it, " to some country town." 

Since nothing further is recorded, upon the town records, 
concerning the action of this convention, nor of the town in it, 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^ER. 79 

we may conclude that the inhabitants had ceased to vent their 
feelings in this direction. They did not, however, cease to 
manifest a deep interest in state affairs. Leaving inferior 
things, their minds were brought to bear upon the Governor 
himself, whose ears they feared not to assault, in the following 
well expi'iissed petition, which Capt. Elisha Jackson was chosen 
to bear directly to the hands of Governor Bowdoin. 

Let the reader picture to himself the personal appearance of 
this same Capt. Elisha Jackson, as, " intent on high designs," 
and " true to imagined right," he laid the petition of his town, 
before the Governor, with the spirit of the " Arvernian aristo- 
crat," Vercingetorix, as he cast his arms at the feet of Csesar, in 
his Gallic camp. Though " little among the thousands" of the 
state, Gardner was intent on being heard by the Governor and 
his Council. What effect the petition had upon these august 
personages, or what Avas its influence upon the future destinies 
of the state, does not appear. 

To his Excellency , James Boivdoin, Esq., Governor of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to the Honorable Council 
of said Commonwealth : 

The petition of the town of Gardner, humbly showeth, that, 
whereas, the state disturl)ances, and rising of the people in this 
state, in stopping the courts, etc., threatens the ruin of this 
state, if not all the states in the union, if matters are not settled 
soon, and in peace ; we therefore pray, your Excellenc}^ with 
the Council, to do everything in your power, for the settlement 
of the same, even to the liberating of Capt. Shattuck and others, 
Avho are confined in any of the gaols of this commonwealth, who 
are of the party that is called Regulators, and are confined on 
that account, if it could be, without a trial, if not, that they mav 
have it as quick as may be, and if even found guilty, they may 
have a pardon, and that no more of that party may be taken, 
if there is any likelihood of there being any means of settling 
the matter. And we have been informed, that the body, called 
Regulators, have petitioned that the Court of the General Ses- 



80 HISTORY OF GABBNER. 

sions of the Peace, etc., should be put l)y, in several of the 
counties, until a new house should be chosen. We had better 
suffer a little, than a civil war should take place. Therefore, 
if the suspension of the courts, a little while, in a few counties, 
would be a means of accommodating the matter, we could wish 
for that, and until the people in the out counties, coukl even be 
informed of what the General Court have already done, con- 
cerning matters that are called grievances, though we have not 
a right of representation, by the Constitution, yet we have a 
right to pray for peace, which must be the strength and happi- 
ness of a people. Therefore, we pray, that everything you can 
do, to bring about peace, might l)e done, and that your Excel- 
lency lay the above before the General Court at their session. 
And we pray for their acceptance in completing the same, and 
that the God of Peace, may grant 3'ou all that wisdom, that the 
times call for ; that peace and happiness be restored again to 
the people of this state. 

Voted, That the town clerk date this petition and sign it. 

Joseph Bacon, Town Clerk. 
Gardner, January 15th, 1787. 

Voted, To choose some person to convey this petition to the 
Governor. Voted, That Elisha Jackson be the person. 

For the sake of our children, who might otherwise remain 
in ignorance of the events which threatened the existence and 
perpetuity of our republican institutions, at this particular 
period of our history, we cannot resist the temptation to insert 
here, an account of " The Shays' Eebellion," which occurred at 
this time. We arc indebted to William L. Smith, Esq., a 
lawyer in Springfield, for the following comprehensive and 
reliable account of this rebellion, which he read before the Con- 
necticut Valley Historical Society, at Springfield, Oct. 1st, 1877. 

SHAYS' REBELLION. 

The history of the insurrection in Massachusetts — commonly 
called the " Shays' Rebellion" — is interesting as the record of 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 81 

the only serious attempt ever made against the authority of the 
state government. The insurrection having first taken an 
organized form in the Connecticut valley and having here met 
its final overthrow, the preservation of local facts concerning it 
is expressly within the province of this society. This paper 
will relate mainly to such incidents of the rebellion as occurred 
in Springfield and the immediate vicinity. 

The insurrection wais the result of a condition of things now 
popularly described as "hard times." It did not originate so 
much in disaffection toward the state 2:overnment as in an 
uncontrollable impulse of a distressed people to seek relief in 
some way, or any way. The long and burdensome war of the 
Revolution had just been brought to a close. The country was 
impoverished. The continental paper money had become 
worthless, and no substitute for it had l)een provided. There 
was no trade, no demand for labor, no way in which the value 
of property of any kind could be measured. Under the bar- 
barous laws then in force, the jails were becoming filled with 
prisoners whose only offense was their inability to pay their 
debts. Men who had nothing to do but to talk about their 
grievances and distresses were easily excited to turbulence, and 
local disturbances were frequent and serious. The authorities 
were too often in sympathy with the oflenders against the law, 
and guilty parties went unpunished. The state constitution, 
adopted in 1780, was viewed with disfavor by a large minority 
of the people and was not regarded as securely established. 
The constitution of the United States had not then been framed, 
and all existing government was merely experimental. 

There Avas at that time no law for the equitable distribution 
of a debtor's property among his creditors. The executions of 
the creditors were levied in the order in which their attach- 
ments were made, and each creditor was satisfied in his tui'u 
until all Avere paid, or the debtor's estate was exhausted. A 
man whose credit was suspected found his property covered by 
attachments at once, and in the condition of things then exist- 
ing a very slight circumstance excited suspicion. Litigation 

11 



82 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

became general. The state was showered with executions, and 
hirge amounts of property Avere sold for almost nothing to 
satisfy them. In the unreasoning excitement of the time, the 
courts, lawyers and sheriffs were denounced in the wildest 
terms as the promoters of the suffering that men were inflicting 
upon each other. A cry arose that the courts ought to be 
abolished. Threats were made that the courts should not be 
allowed to sit, that no more suits should be entered and no 
more executions issued. It was such wild clamor as this that 
led to the first overt act in resistance to the lawful authority. 

There was no geuci-al insurrection until the summer of 178(3, 
but as early as 1783 a bold attempt was made at Springfield to 
break up the session of the court of common pleas. The 
"Massachusetts Gazette or the General Advertiser' (then 
printed at Springfield j of May 27, gives this account of it : — 

On Tuesday last, beiug the day on which the geueral sessions of the 
peace and the court of common pleas opened in this town, a banditti, 
collected from the obscure corners of the county, composed of men of 
the most infamous character, to the amoimt of about sixty in number, 
met in this town to prevent the sitting of the court. * * * They 
showed no disposition to attack the courts in the forenoon ; at two 
o'clock they met at a public house in the town and resolved themselves 
to be a convention of tlie county, met together for the purpose of re- 
dressing grievances ; after having passed several important resolves they 
adjourned their convention to the elm tree near the court-house ; when 
the bell rang for tlie court, they, in hostile parade, armed with white 
bludgeons, cut for that pui'pose, marched befoi-e the door of tlie court- 
house, and when tlie court, headed by the sheriff, came to the door, with 
insolence opposed their entrance ; the slieriif, in tlie mild terms of per- 
suasion, addressing them as gentlemen, desired them to make way. 
His civiUty was repaid with outrage, and an action soon commenced ; 
happily there was a collection of people friendly to the government pres- 
ent, and the mob was repulsed with broken heads. A number of them 
were instantly taken and committed to prison ; after which, by a regular 
procedure, they were brought before the court of sessions for examina- 
tion, and were bound to appear before the supreme court. 



HISTORY OF GARDJ\^ER. 83 

The Legislature of 1786 was elected at a time of o-reat ex- 
citement. Demaofoafism was in its "lorv, and the distresses of 
the people were used for the accomplishment of personal and 
political ends. Many of the men who had hitherto been in- 
trusted with the responsibilities of legislation, and were prom- 
inent in the service of the state, were superseded by inexpe- 
rienced and in many cases by utterly unfit persons. Patriots 
of the revolution, Avhose eloquent appeals had aroused the 
spirit that carried the country triumphantly through the Avar of 
independence, were defeated as candidates, merely because they 
happened to be lawyers. AVhen the Legislature assembled 
various visionary schemes were brought forward, among them 
a proposition that the state should go into the business of raan- 
utacturing paper money. The "greenback" party of the day 
was active and nois}'. The very men who had lived through a 
period of great inflation and consequent depreciation wanted 
to travel over the same wretched road again. We should 
wonder at this if we had not recently seen history repeating 
itself in this particidar. After reading the discussions of that 
time one is brought to the conclusion that the advocates of raof 
money have not materially strengthened their arguments during 
the last ninety years. The Legislature proceeded deliberately, 
influenced, no doubt, by the conservative sentiment of Boston, 
and finally rejected the proposition ; and the Senate stood firmly 
in the way of other dangerous schemes. Thereupon there 
arose a new clamor. It was declared that the senate should be 
abolished and that the Legislature should not continue to hold 
its sessions at Boston ; and the agitators proceeded to supple- 
ment their boisterous declamations by a formal organization. 

The Legislature adjourned on the 8th of July. On the 28th 
of August delegates from fifty towns in Hampshire county 
(Hampden and Franklin counties were part of Hampshire at 
that time) met in convention at Hatfield and held a session of 
three days. All the issues of the day were represented in that 
convention. The paper money part}- was in strong force. The 
men wdio " had fought for liberty and meant to have it," were 



84 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

there, and liberty as they understood it Avas defined by one of 
their leaders in a speech at West Springfield. Liberty, ho said, 
" is for every man to do as he pleases and to make other folks 
do as you please to have them." Of course there was a mixture 
of local politics. There was some in the convention wdio hon- 
estly thought they could see their w^ay out of their troubles 
throuo;h mere lesrislation, but with all of them the idea of re- 
dressing grievances by revolution was familiar and popular. 

The convention solemnly voted " that this meeting is con- 
stitutional," and issued a declaration of its purposes. The 
declaration was a marked specimen of energetic fault-finding, 
but failed to present practical recommendations for the removal 
of the evils complained of. They wanted, among various other 
things, a revisal of the state constitution, the al)olition of the 
Senate and of the court of common pleas, and more paper 
money. The convention called upon other counties to organize 
and took care to go through the form of advising the people to 
abstain from all mobs and unlawful assemblies. 

The events of the next few days gave an unexpected con- 
struction to the convention's declaration against mobs and 
unlawful assemblies. The last Tuesday of August was the day 
fixed b^^ law for the term of the court of common pleas at 
NorthamptoD. Some fifteen hundred men took possession of the 
court-house, and prevented the sitting of the court. The term 
Avas not held, and the men who did not intend to pay their debts 
celebrated a victory over the law. After accomplishing its 
object the mob dispersed, but the insurrection was then under 
full headway. 

It took the clerk of the court but very little time to record 
the proceedings of that term. Here is the full record : — 

Early on the morning of this day tliere was collected a considerable 
number of persons under arms, wlio paraded near the court-liouse, with 
a proposed design to prev'cut tliis court from sitting ; a committee from 
whom presented a petition, requesting the court would not proceed to do 
any business. The court having considered thereof thought proper to 
open the same at the house of Capt. "Samuel Clark, innliolder, in North- 



HISTORY OF GARDNEB. 85 

amptou ; and having continued all matters now pending in said court to 
the term of this court next to be holden in Springfield, in and for the 
county of Hampshire, on the second Tuesday of November next, ad- 
journed without day. 

The November term, to which the matters pending were con- 
tinued, was never held, nor w^as any term of the court held in 
the county until May of the following year. The docket was 
kept alive by legislative action. 

Gov. Bowdoin issued a proclamation calling upon the civil 
otEcers and the good citizens of the state to sustain the laws, 
but the officers were powerless and the good citizens were over- 
awed by the aggressive violence of the insurgents. In some 
localities the militia were ordered out, but the order was soon 
countermanded, for it was found that the militia, as then organ- 
ized, was composed in a very large degree of the insurgents 
themselves, and could not be trusted. Meantime the rioters 
were profiting by the enforced inaction of the state authorities. 
The judges whose duty it was to hold the September term of 
the court of common pleas at Worcester found the door of the 
court-house bristling with bayonets, and they were not admitted. 
Like outrages were committed in INIiddlesex, Bristol and Berk- 
shire counties. In the other counties there was less open insur- 
rection, but, with the exception of the towm of Boston and its 
immediate vicinity, the rebels had substantially the control of 
the state. The extent of the disaffection at this time was not 
known to the state authorities, and probably not to the insur- 
gents themselves, until after the troubles were over, and after 
the Legislature had made a law disqualifying persons engaged 
in the rebellion from holding civil office. It was then found 
that in some towns there were not enough men untainted with 
rebellion to fill the necessary town offices, and further legisla- 
tion was necessary to bridge over the difficulty. It is probable 
that about one-third of the population of the state were more 
or less actively in sympathy with the insurrection. 

The governor issued a proclamation calling the Legislature 
to meet in special session on the 27tli of September. The 



86 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

proclamation was an incentive to still greater activity on the 
part of the insurgents. On the other hand, the supporters of 
the government felt the increased necessity' of making a stand 
against insurrection. The law required the supreme judicial 
court to sit at Springfield on the fourth Tuesday of September. 
The insurgents, who had not hitherto interfered with the court, 
declared that the term should not be held. At that time the 
grand juries reported to the supreme court, and the insurgent 
leaders knew that if the grand jury assembled and did its dut}' 
they would be indicted for treason. The friends of law and 
order declared that the court should be protected in any event, 
and at whatever cost. The issue was thus squarely made up, 
and each party meant what it said. 

Gen. William Shepard of V\'estiield, who had served with 
distinction through the war of the Revolution, and had been a 
member of the continental congress and a trusted ofHcer of 
Gen. Washington, was appointed to command such forces as 
could be raised for the protection of the court. Shays, the 
leader of the insurgents, had held a commission in the conti- 
nental army, and was conspicuous for his personal bravery at 
Bunker Plill and Stony Point, and was present at the surrender 
of Burgoyne. Revolutionary experiences were still fresh, and 
almost every man in the community was accustomed in some 
degree to the use of arms and military drill. It was well 
understood that neither party would give way to the other, and 
there was hardly ground for hope that a blo(>dy collision would 
be averted. 

Gen. Shepard succeeded in collecting about 600 militia and 
volunteers, and anticipated the plans of the insurgents by 
taking possession of the court-house. On the appointed day 
the court was opened. Chief Justice Gushing and Justices Sar- 
geant, Sewall and Sumner being present, and Shays appeared 
at the head of a force largely superior in numbers to Gen. 
Shepard's, but his men were not as well armed as Avere the 
militia. The insurgent leaders were disconcerted at finding the 
militia in possession of the court-house ; their followers were 



HISTORY OF GARDJSTER. 87 

enraged, and insisted npon making an iannediate attack. But 
the leaders were more prudent. They knew that the govern- 
ment troops were well armed, they had no artillery and they 
were especially disgusted with the bark of a small cannon, 
which they styled the "government's puppy." They offered 
to withdraw if the judges would agree that no other than the 
ordinary criminal business of the term should be taken up. 
The judges replied in substance that they had a public duty to 
discharge, iind would attend to such business as should properly 
come before them. But by the time this answer was received 
the insurgent leaders Avere indiflerent as to the action of the 
court, for they were satisfied the jjrand jury could not be got 
together and that there would be no trials. They saw their my in 
purpose would be accomplished Avithout fighting. Shays had 
his headquarters on or near Ferry lane (now Cypress street,) 
and a tavern that stood on the southerly corner of the present 
Main and Sargent streets was a favorite rendezvous of the 
insurgents. 

The inhabitants of Springfield were beginning to feel some 
relief from their anxiety when a new commotion was seen in 
the camp of the insurgents. It was rumored among them that 
the militia had determined that they should not be permitted to 
march past the court-house. It is not likely that any person in 
authority on the government side threw down the gauntlet in 
that way. It is more probable that the rumor originated with 
some of the Shays men who wanted a pretext for a fight and 
consequent pillage. But the rumor, however it originated, 
aroused the fighting qualities of the insurgents. Old soldiers 
were not to be told that they must not march over the highway. 
They notified Gen. Shepard that they would march past the 
court-house forthwith, and they did so in military order and 
with loaded muskets, and they countermarched and again passed 
under the windows of the court-house. But no one come for- 
ward to knock the chip from their leader's shoulder. The 
experiment of the insurgents proved a failure. The militia 
could not be tempted to accept a mere challenge or invite a 



88 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

battle. A taunt or a careless word would have occasioned a 
collision, but the word was not spoken. But some of the 
militia were so impressed by the numbers and bearing of the 
insurgents that they deserted their colors and enlisted imder 
Shays. 

The court was kept open three days, but the proceedings 
amounted to a mere ceremony. The grand jury did not assem- 
ble. Parties to causes, jurors and witnesses were under arms, 
cither on one side or the other. One defendant, who was out 
on bail, was defaulted, and that was the only business trans- 
acted at the term. The adjournment of the court, under such 
circumstances, was a victory for the insurgents, and their tri- 
umj)h was made complete when they learned that the judges 
had determined not to hold the October term at Great Barring- 
ton. The judges had been informed of the preparations made 
for their reception at that place, and knew it would be useless 
to attempt to hold the term. 

The rebels had accomplished all they intended, and more, 
but success had crazed them. The rank and file were clamor- 
ous for a light, and Shays sent a message to General Shepard 
demanding a surrender of the court-house. Gen. Shepard did 
not deem the possession of the court-house worth fighting for, 
the court having adjourned, and moved his forces to the federal 
arsenal, wdiere there was valuable property that required pro- 
tection. The insurgents, finding no satisfaction in standing 
guard over an empty building, and not yet being ready to make 
war against the federal authority, soon dispersed. 

Minot's History of the insurrections, etc., published within 
two years after these occurrences, says, " The condition of the 
town of Springfield was truly melancholy during this civil con- 
tention. Neighbors were opposed to each other under arms, 
the houses were rendered the scenes of female distress, and it 
was in the power of accident only to have brought an action 
which might have destroj'cd the lives of thousands, and sub- 
jected all property to the immediate vengeance of the party 
that miirht have become victorious. After remaining in this 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 89 

situation for four clays the inhabitants were relieved by the dis- 
persing of both parties." 

The conservative sentiment of Springtield as a town is 
shown by the record of a town meeting held on the 25th of 
September. At a previous meeting a committee, consisting of 
William Pynchon, Capt. Thomas Stebbins, Reuben Bliss and 
Thomas Williston, had been appointed " to take into consider- 
ation the present aspect of our public affairs and what meas- 
ures are prudent to be adopted by the town to extricate us out 
of our present difficulties." The report of this committee, 
which was made by Mr. Pynchon, was in the form of a letter 
of instructions to Samuel Lyman, the representative of the 
town in the General Court, which was about to meet in special 
session. I quote from the report : — 

If a motion sliould be made for a paper medium to be substituted in 
the place of solid coin, as a tender in discharge of private debts, you 
will oppose it with all your influence. Such a medium is iniquitous 
in itself, pregnant of innumerable evils, both political and moral, con- 
trary to the spirit of our constitution, and inconsistent with the rights of 
mankind ; whatever order government may see fit to make with respect 
to future contracts, no government can possibly have a right to alter 
private contracts, already made under her patronage, and the protection 
and security of laws then existing. A usurpation in such an instance 
might soon become a precedent for usurpation still more dangerous, till 
the liberties of the people were annihilated, not to add that the increase 
of our paper debt at a time when it is already a burthen, appears a pre- 
posterous and ridiculous remedy. 

You are not to favor any motion for a present revisal of our constitu- 
tion. We are far from thinking it too perfect to be amended, but as 
witliin a few years it is to be revised of course if then found necessary, 
we cannot suppose it would be prudent to incur the extraordinary 
expense and peculiar danger of attempting an alteration in so burthen- 
some and so critical a time as this. There are matters of greater and 
moi'e immediate consequence which require your attention and on which 
present relief more especially depends. The general perturbation of 
people's spirits at this instant will scarcely admit that calm, dispassion- 
ate deliberation which is necessary in laying the groundwork in govern- 
ment in so large and so economical a state, and a state which has so 
12 



90 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

many foreign as well as domestic connections, and probably would pre- 
vent a tolerable agreement in any amendments that would be proposed. 

We imagine that part of our discontents may arise from misapprehen- 
sion, and therefore it is our wish that when the Legislature have done all 
in their power to relieve our real burthens, they would in a public address 
state our case to us in its various circumstances with as much perspi- 
cacity as possible that our mistakes, if we have unhappily fallen into 
any, may be rectified, and our imaginary as well as real grievances may 

be removed. 

* * * * * * * * 

When tlie Legislature assembled it was found that the Senate 
was in favor of vigorous measures in support of the govern- 
ment. In the House there Avas a party in sympathy with the 
insurgents, and another party opposed to disorder, hut nf)t in 
favor of coercive measures. There were others who thousfht 
they saw in the successful defiance of the courts a failure of 
republican institutions, and who looked to a revolution as a 
necessary or convenient step toward the establishment of an 
aristocratic government. Extremes were thus meeting and co- 
operating. Toward the close of the session, however, acts 
were reluctantly passed authorizing the governor and council 
to imprison without bail such persons as they deemed danger- 
ous to the public safetjs and providing that persons indicted for 
treason might be tried in iany county. But these wholesome 
measures were qualified by an ofier of a free pardon to such of 
the insurgents as should take the oath of allegiance before the 
1st of January. An address to the people was voted, as had 
been suggested by the Springfield town meeting, but the most 
important thing of all was neglected. They did not provide 
money to meet the expenses of dealing successfull}^ with the 
insurrection. 

The failure of the legislature to adopt energetic measures 
gave new courage to the insurgents. They derided what they 
called the weakness and timidity of the government, and 
laughed at the offer of pardon. The war upon the courts was 
persistently maintained. In December Shays made another 
raid upon Springfield, and forcibly prevented the session of the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 91 

court of common pletis. A letter from Springfield to the Bos- 
ton Chronicle, under date of December 27, gives this account 
of his proceeding : — 

There is a stagnatiun of ahiiost every kind of business among iis by 
reason of the tumults which are so prevalent here. Yesterday we had 
another visit from the mobility ; about 350 men marched in hostile 
array, with drums beating, and took possession of the court-house, com- 
manded by Shays, Day and Grover, in order to prevent the sitting of 
the court of common pleas, which by law was to have been held here at 
that time. This they elFected, as there was no opposition on the part of 
the government. It was not possible for the court (as they were sur- 
rounded by an armed force and a guard placed at the door of the room 
in which the judges were met) to proceed to do business. They there- 
fore informed a committee who were chosen by the insurgents to wait 
on them that they would not attempt to open the court. After which, 
about dark, the insurgents left the town. 

It is evident that this was a surprise to the people of S[)ring- 
field. For some reason or other they had believed that the 
court would not be interfered with. The indio-nation amonsr 
the friends of the government was intense, and within a few 
hours a permanent military force Avas organized for local pur- 
poses. But the outrage upon the court was productive of good 
results. It proved to be a material element in arousing the 
party of order to vigorous and decisive action, and was the last 
armed attack made upon the courts of Massachusetts. This 
form of mob rule had its beginning and end in Springfield. 

News traveled slowly in 1786. Information of this last 
exploit of Shays was not received by the governor until the 
first of January. The news was received at Boston with sur- 
prise and alarm. Springfield had been regarded as the govern- 
ment stronghold in the western part of the state, and an uncon- 
tested insurgent success had not been expected at that point. 
At the same time an attack upon Boston was threatened by the 
insurgents, and there were indications that a part of the popula- 
tion of that town were ready for revolt. Disturbances, too, 
were occurring in other states. In New Hampshire au armed 



92 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

mob surrouiidcd the Legislature, demanding the enactment of 
a paper mone}- hiw. There were well-founded apprehensions 
that general anarchy would be the barren sequence of all the 
magnificent achievements of the continental armies. 

The governor and the members of the executive council were 
capable and resolute men, and were faithful to their great trusts, 
but they were powerless. They did not have at their command 
the means of sustaining even a single regiment in tlie field. 
The emergency was finally met by some of the capitalists and 
business men of Boston, who realized the danger to which their 
interests would be exposed by a revolution, and came forward 
wdth an oiler of a loan to the state, trusting to future legisla- 
tion for their reimbursement. Their offer was accepted, and 
there was at once a change in the condition of affairs. There 
was a new and wholesome activity in the executive departments. 
Orders were issued for the raising and equipment of forty-five 
hundred men, a considerable army in that day. Pul)lic senti- 
ment at once exhibited a more healthy tone. The wavering 
and doubting began to get off the fence and range themselves 
on the side that had troops and money, and the lukewarm and 
more thoui>htful amono- the insuroents be^an to think of their 
allegiance. Shays and his council had been in deliberation 
over two distinct plans of operation. The more reckless of 
the leaders advised an attack upon Boston for the purpose of 
releasino; two of their number who had been arrested and were 
held in jail. Others advised that the attack on Boston be de- 
layed until after the seizure of the continental arsenal at Spring- 
field, with its store of war material, and this last plan was the 
one adopted. 

The Hampshire county quota of twelve hundred men were 
ordered to assemble at Springfield, and Gen. Sheparcl was 
placed in command. The eastern militia were to meet at Rox- 
bury, whence they were to march to Worcester and there be 
joined with the force raised in Worcester county. The chief 
command was given to Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, an accomplished 
oflScer of the Revolutionary war. Gov. Bowcloin's orders to 



HISTORY OF GABDNER. 93 

Gen. Lincoln required him to protect the court of common 
pleas at the January' term at Worcester, and left his further 
movements against the insurgents to his own discretion. 

Gen, Shepard again anticipated the movements of Shajs. 
Acting under the authority of the secretary of war, he took 
possession of the arsenal. Gen. Lincoln reached Worcester on 
the 22d of January after a three days' march from Roxbury 
through the deep snow of midwinter. The court Avas opened 
and proceeded with the business of the term. Order was re- 
stored at Worcester and substantially at all points in the state 
east of that place. The insurgents were concentrating their 
strength in the western counties, and it was understood on all 
hands that the issue was to be tried and determined at Spring- 
field. 

The positions of the several armed forces oii the evening of 
January 24 were as follows : Gen. Shepard was posted at the 
arsenal with aljout one thousand men. Shays had just reached 
WMlbraham on his march from Rutland. A part of Lincoln's 
command Avas less than two days' march in the rear of Shays. 
Luke Day, an insurgent leader, Avas at West Springfield with 
about four hundred men and boys, well armed and Avell drilled. 
There Avas a good ice bridge at the time, so that he Avas Avithin 
easy reach of the arsenal. Eli Parsons, a Berkshire leader, 
was in the north parish cf Springfield (noAV Chicopee) with 
about four hundred men. The total insurgent force was about 
double that of Gen. Shepard. 

The inhabitants of Springfield, except such as Avere Avithin 
the immediate protection of Gen. Shepard, Avere kept in con- 
stant alarm. Respectable citizens Avere seized in their own 
houses and taken to Day's camp in A¥est Springfield, where 
they Avere kept under guard as hostages and for purposes of 
retaliation. Men were not sure whether their near neighbors 
were friends or foes, and unprotected homes were exposed^to 
outrage and plunder. L^pon the receipt of the ucavs that Shays 
had reached Willmiham, most of the Avomen and children Avho 
had means of conveyance fled from the town, the greater part 
of them goiuo- to LongmeadoAv. 



94 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

On his arrival at Wilbraham Shays sent a message to Day 
informing him that he intended to attack the arsenal on the 
25th. Day replied by letter that lie conld not move on that 
diiy, bnt would join in the attack on the 26th. Day's messenger 
was arrested, and his letter, instead of going to Shays, went to 
General Shepard. On the 25th Shays moved upon Springfield, 
expecting, of course, the co-operation of Day and Parsons. 
Even if he had received Day's letter he could not have delayed 
his attack. His only chance of success was in seizing the 
arsenal before Gen. Lincoln could come up. 

At that time none of the buildings now standing on the 
arsenal grounds had been erected. There were two wooden 
buildings, built for barracks and for storage on the brow of the 
hill looking to the north, on or near the site of the present 
store-house. There was a private dwelling-house on the site of 
the present middle arsenal (opposite the Olivet church.) It 
was to this house that the dead and woinided insurgents were 
carried. East of that point there were no buildings except the 
powder magazine that stood in a then remote spot in the woods. 
Magazine street has since been located over its site. The pres- 
ent main Armory square was the public training field. There 
were not then anj' gun shops on the arsenal grounds. If there 
was one in the town at that time it was in Ferry lane, where 
government gun work was originally done in Springfield. 

When Shays left Wilbraham on the morning of the 25th, 
Asaph King, a deputy sheriff, started on horseback to give in- 
formation to Gen. Shepard. He was obliged to avoid the high- 
ways and made his way across the fields, through snowdrifts 
and over fences, and is said to have accomplished the distance 
jn forty-five minutes. This was the first exact information 
received by Gen. Shepard of the approach of Shays, and he 
proceeded to make ready for his fitting reception. His men 
were stationed near the barracks, and his cannon were planted 
on the brow of the hill commanding the approach by the Boston 
road. A part of his force was posted in Main street, at the 
point now crossed by the Boston and Albany railroad, for the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 95 

[)urpose of holding Day in check, in case he shonlcl attempt to 
come to the aid of Shays. A considerable mob collected at 
that point, bnt did not attempt an attack upon the militia. 

It was towards the close of the short winter day that the 
insurgents were seen from the arsenal making their toilsome 
march through the snow on the Boston road. They were in 
the best of spirits. Every attempt they had hitherto made had 
succeeded, but it was not an unprotected court-house they were 
now intending to occupy. Some of them were to be dead 
Avithiu the next few minutes. Shays was entirely confident. 
Some of his old army comrades went out to meet him, and 
advised him to keep out of the range of Gen. Shepard's guns, 
and abandon his treason. He received them pleasantly, told 
them he was sure of success, and was inclined to be jocose. 
He did not know his own men. 

There is a good deal of loose tradition about the affair of the 
2.5th of January, which is entirely omitted here, for the reason 
that it does not seem to be supported by any trustworthy con- 
temporary evidence. There was not any battle. The only 
firing was on the government side and there was but little of 
that. Only one shot seems to have been fired in genuine 
earnest, and that was followed bv a panic amono^ the insurofents 
and a flight. The official report of the firm but kind-hearted 
Gen Shepard to the government gives us reliable history. It 
is as follows : — 

Springfield^^ January 26, 1787. 

Sir : — The unhappy time has come in which we have been obliged 
to shed blood. Shays, who was at the head of about twelve huadred 
men, marched yesterday afternoon about four o'clock toward the public 
buildings, in battle array. He marched his men in an open column by 
platoons. I sent several times, by one of my aids, and two other gen- 
tlemen, Capts. Buffington and Woodbridge, to him to know what he was 
after, or what he wanted. His reply was, he wanted barracks, barracks 
he would have, and stoi'es. The answer was, he must purchase them 
dear, if he had them. He still proceeded on his march, until he 
approached within two hundred and fifty yards of the arsenal. He then 
made a halt. I immediately sent Maj. Lyman, one of my aids, and 



96 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Capt. BufRugtou, to inform liiin not to inarch his troops any nearer the 
arsenal on his peril, as I was stationed here by order of your excellency 
and the secretary at war, for the defense of the publick property ; in case 
he did, I should surely fire on him and his men. A Mr. Wheeler, who 
appeared to be one of Shays' aids met Mr. Lyman after he had deliv- 
ered my orders in the most peremptory manner, and made answer, that 
that was all he wanted. Shays immediately put his troops in motion 
and marched on rapidly near one hundred yards. I then ordered Maj. 
Stephens, who commanded the artillery to fire upon them ; he accord- 
ingly did. The two first shot he endeavored to overshoot them, in hope 
they would have taken warning, without firing among them, but it had 
no effect on them. Maj. Stephens then directed his shot through the 
centre of his column. The fourth or fifth shot put the whole column 
into the vitmost confusion. Sliays made an attempt to display his col- 
umn, but in vain. We had one howit. Wliich was loaded with grape 
shot, which, when fired, g(ive them great uneasiness. Had I been dis- 
posed to destroy them, I might have charged upon their rear and flanks 
with my infantry and the two field-pieces, and could have killed the 
greater part of his whole army within twenty-five minutes. There was 
not a single musket fired on either side. 

I found three men dead on the spot, and one wounded, who is since 
dead. One of our artillerymen, by inattention, was badly wounded. 
Three muskets were taken up with the dead, which were all deeply 
loaded. I enclose to your excellency a copy of a paper sent to me last 
evening. I have received no reinforcements yet, and expect to be at- 
tacked this day by their whole force combined. I am sir, with great 
respect, 

Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant, 

William Shepard. 
His Excellency James Bowdoin, Esq. 

The following is a copy of the paper enclosed in the above 

letter : — 

Headquarters, West Springfield, \ 
January 25, 1787. ] 

The body of the people assembled in arms, adhering to the first prin- 
ciples in nature, self-preservation, do^ in the most peremptory manner, 
demand 

1. That the troops in Springfield lay down their arms. 

2. That their arms be deposited in the publick stores, under the care 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 97 

of the proper officers, to be returned to the owners at the termination of 
the present contest. 

3. That the troops return to their homes upon parole. 

Luke Day, 
Captain Commandant of this division. 

To the commanding officer at Springfield, Jan. 25, 1787. 
On the back,—" By Col. Eli Parsons." 
The " captain commandant" Avho made this high-sounding de- 
maud ran away, two days hiter, without firing a shot. 

The lives so foolishly thrown away before the arsenal were 
those of Ezekiel Root and Ariel Webster of Gill, Jabes Spicer 
of Leyden and John Hunter of Shelburne. In the evening 
Shays sent a messenger to Gen. Shepard with a flag of truce 
requesting that the bodies of five of his men killed before the 
arsenal should be returned to him. Gen. Shepard's rather grim 
reply was that he could not furnish him at that time with five 
insurgents, as he had but four, and one of them Avas not quite 
dead, but that if Shays would attack the arsenal again, Gen. 
Shepard would furnish him as many rebels as he should desire. 
The attack anticipated by Gen. Shepard was not made. 
Shays retreated on the night of the 25th to " Chapin's tavern," 
five miles east of the town. The next day he joined Parson's 
force at Chicopee, two hundred of his men deserting by the 
Ava}'. A bold dash on the morning of the 27th might possibly 
have helped him, but he lost the only opportunity there was 
remaining to him. At noon on that day a part of Gen. Lin- 
coln's army consisting of three regiments of infantry, three 
companies of artillery and a body of cavalry reached Spring- 
field. After a rest of one hour the Lincoln infantry and artil- 
lery crossed the river for the purpose of seizing Day and his 
party. At the same time Gen. Shepard moved up the river on 
the east bank, and the cavalry went up the river on the ice to 
prevent a junction of Day and Shays. There was no inclina- 
tion to fight among the insurgents, who retired as the militia 
advanced, their numbers lessening by desertions as they went. 
The pursuit Avas vigorously maintained uiitil the insurgent 
13 



98 HI8T0RY OF GAllBNEli. 

leaders were captured or driven from the state, but several 
months elapsed before quiet was entirely restored. The peace 
of Springfield was not again disturbed by the rebellion. 

The insurrection was practically subdued before Shays ap- 
peared before the arsenal. Most of the men of influence who 
had taken part in the earlier proceedings of the insurgents had 
withdrawn from active participation with them. Some of them 
were affrighted at the confusion they had aided in creating. 
Others had become convinced of the power of the state to inforce 
its laws and punish offenders. There were others who could 
not be induced to lift their hands against the federal authority 
or property, and there %vas an evident distrust of the capacity 
of the insuro'ent leaders to successfully conduct a rebellious 
enterprise. Shays, though his personal courage is admitted, 
did not possess the qualities of leadership. He was a soldier 
of fortune, with a dull idea of personal honor, though at this 
late day we can, perhaps, aflbrd to adopt the suggestion of a 
newspaper correspondent of the time, Avho spoke of him as 
" one Shays a deranged officer of the late wai'." He was not 
the man to retain the respect of his subordinates and followers. 
The men who cried " murder" and ran away at the first sight 
of blood, were not the old soldiers who had challenged the 
militia to a fight in the main street of Springfield in September. 

Daniel Shays who gave his name to the rebellion was l)orn 
at Hopkinton in 1747. He removed to Great Barrington and 
afterward resided in Pelham. After the suppression of the 
insurrection he removed to Sparta, N. Y., Avhere he lived in 
utter poverty, until 1825. Luke Day was born in West Spring- 
field and died there in poverty, in 1801. 

John Hancock, Avho Avas the first governor under the state 
constitution was again elected in 1787. It is no unfavorable 
criticism of the administration that immediately preceded him 
to say, that his election was generally received as a promise of 
the removal of the prevailing discontent. The armed insurrec- 
tion had been suppressed, but the work of bringing the people 
of the state to a cordial and unanimous support of the consti- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 99 

tiition and laws remained to be performed. The new governor 
assumed this difficult undertaking and accomplished it. John 
Hancock did not believe in the religion of hate. Nine of the 
leading insurgents who were convicted of treason and sentenced 
to death were pardoned, some of them at the foot of the gal- 
lows, the only condition being that they should never hold any 
office, civil or military, within the commonwealth. A large 
number of persons convicted of seditious offences were par- 
doned unconditionally. A member of the Legislature who was 
convicted of treasonable practices was sentenced to stand for 
an hour on the gallows, with a rope around his neck and to pay 
a fine of fifty pounds. This seems to have been the only sen- 
tence carried into execution. It would be a good plan perhaps 
to revive this mode of dealing with recreant legislators. Con- 
ciliatory measures were adopted by the Legislature. The sul- 
len mutterings of the defeated insurgents gradually subsided. 
Commerce soon settled commercial difficulties in its own way, 
as it always does if unfettered by meddlesome legislation, and 
a season of prosperity ensued. The rebellion was ended at 
last in accordance with the grand precepts of the gospel of for- 
giveness and of peace. And all history tells us that rebellion 
is never completely conquered in any other way. 

As giving a more minute account of the closing scenes of the 
rebellion, we also insert the following extract from Lincoln's 
History of Worcester, together with a notice of Shays, by the 
same author : — 

" The career of Shays, was fast drawing to its close. Driven 
from post to post, he suddenly retired from Pelham to Peters- 
ham, where he expected to concentrate the forces of expiring 
rebellion and make his final stand. Intelligence of this chanofe 
of position reached Gen. Lincoln at Hadley, February 3d, and 
he determined, by prompt and decisive action, to terminate the 
warfare. When the troops took up the line of march, at eight 
o'clock, the evening was bright and mild. Before morning the 
cold became intense ; the dry and light snow, whirled before a 



100 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

violent north wind, filled the paths and rendered them almost 
impassable. The severity of the cold prevented any halt for 
rest or refreshment. At a distance from shelter, withont de- 
fence against the inclemency of the weather, it became neces- 
sary to press on withont pausing, to the camp occupied by men 
possessing all martial advantages, except courage and a good 
cause. The heavy sufJ'erings of the night Avere terminated, by 
the arrival of the troops in the very centre of Petersham. The 
folloAvers of Shays, trusting to the violence of the storm and 
the obstruction of the highways, rested in careless security. 
The first warning of danger, Avas from the appearance of the 
advanced guard of the forces of government, after a journey 
of thirty miles, in the midst of their cantonment. Had an army 
dropped from the clouds, upon the hill, the consternation could 
not have been greater. Panic struck, the insurgents fled, with- 
out firing a gun, or offering resistance to soldiers exhausted by 
fatigue, with frozen liml)s and almost sinking under the priva- 
tions and hardships of the severe service." 

NOTICE OF DANIEL SHAYS. 

This individual acquired an unenviable notoriety, Avhich im- 
parts some degree of interest to the incidents of his life. He 
Avas born in Hopkinton, in 1747 ; the son of parents not in 
afHuent circumstances, he worked Avith Mr. Brinley, a respect- 
able farmer of Framingham. The activity and energy of his 
3'outh promised at maturity more desirable elevation than he 
attained. That his education Avas neglected, is apparent from 
his official letters, bidding defiance alike to government, gram- 
mar and good spelling. Just before the rcA'olution, he removed 
to one of the toAvns beyond Connecticut river, and aftcrAvards 
resided in Pelham. When the Avar commenced, he entered the 
army, at the age of tAventy-eight, Avith rank of ensign, in Capt. 
Dickinson's company, in Col. Benjamin Buggies Woodbridge's 
regiment. His ambition, activity, and plausible manners cover- 
ing the Avant of acquirements, joined Avith personal intrepidity, 
obtained promotion, and in 177(), he Avas appointed Lieutenant 



HISTOBY OF GABDXER. 101 

in Col. Varnum's regiment. At the time when the line pecu- 
liarly needed reinforcement, he avu-s detached on the recruiting 
service, Avith the promise of some suitable reward for the en- 
listment of twenty men. For this purpose he visited his native 
state, and his unwearied exertions were crowned with ample 
success. When the complement assigned to him was filled, a 
plan suggested itself for grasping honor and pay at once. 
Finding the pulse of patriotism beat high, and the men of Xew 
England were ready to devote themselves for their countr\", he 
continued his enlistments. Insinuating address and bold rep- 
resentations, produced impressions of his ability and influence, 
easily turned to his own advantage, and by holding out expec- 
tations of indulgence to those who should sQv\e under his com- 
mand, a compau}' was raised, on the condition that he should 
be their captain. With these men he returaed to the camp, 
where they were mustered. "NA'hen the inspector was about to 
distribute them to different corps, Shays produced the enlist- 
ment papers : pointed to the condition which held them to serve 
under himself alone ; and requested the appointment of Cap- 
tain. The necessity of the times prevented the sacrifice of so 
many recruits, and after indignant remonstrances, it was deemed 
expedient to yield to his demands. The commission was prom- 
ised, and issued after long delay, in September, 1770, to relate 
back to Jan. 1st, 1777. Such is the account tradition gives 
of his military rank. The honors, ill won, were not long worn. 
He was discharged October 14, 1780, at Newark, in Xew .Jer- 
sey, from Col. Rufus Putnam's regiment. 

The deficiency of honorable sentiment in his mental constitu- 
tion, may be inferred from a characteristic incident. Lafayette 
had presented in 1780, to each of the American officers under 
his immediate command, an elegant sword. Such pledge of 
regard from the patriot chief, a soldier with a spark of gener- 
ous feeling, would have cherished as his dearest possession, and 
transmitted to his posterity as an heirloom of inestimable value. 
Shavs sold the sift of his commander for a few dollars. 



102 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

After being' disbanded, he retired to Pelhani, and lived in ob- 
scurity. Bankrupt in fortune and in fame, Shays was ready to 
embark on the tlood of any desperate adventure. \A'ithout the 
energetic decision or enlarged conceptions, the strong spirit or 
the bold daring, which befit a leader, by some accident, he Avas 
elevated to the command of the insurgents. Of capacity too 
humi)le to direct the movements of an army in those moments 
Avhen the force of talent makes itself felt by triumphant results, 
and turns even obstructions into encouragements, he was weak, 
vacillating and irresolute. It was providential that the physi- 
cal power of the arm of rebellion had so feeble a head to direct 
its blow. 

With the first shade of adversit}', he made indirect overtures 
to the agents of government, to abandon his comrades to their 
fate, on assurance of personal safety ; and when his base propo- 
sitions were rejected, and promises of indemnity and pardon 
were oflered to his followers, his persuasions induced them to 
reject the profl'ered mercy and retain the arms of hopeless con- 
troversy, to purchase by their sacrifice, security for himself. 

AVhen the insurrection was crushed, he retired to Vermont. 
After the lapse of a few years, the General of the rebellion 
passed through the streets of AVorcester, which he once entered 
at the head of an army, and received assistance from those 
Avhose homes he had threatened with desolation. 

At length he removed to Sparta, in New York. As a pen- 
sioner of the United States, he derived his chiily bread from the 
government whose forces he had encountered, in arms. Decla- 
rations tiled in the department of war, by himself, show that 
his family consisted of an aged wife, and that he lived in ex- 
treme poverty. He died September 29th, 1825, aged 78. 

However much the honor and integrity of Daniel Shays were 
questioned, his courage was never disputed. He was in the 
battle of Bunker's Hill, at the capture of Burgoyne, and at the 
storming of Stou}' Point ; was under Lafayette, and did good 
service in many bloody encounters. A severe wound, received 
during the revolution, was honorary testimonial of intrepidity. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 103 

For 51 few years, after the events already recited, the country 
enjoyed a good degree of peace and prosperity. There is noth- 
ing of a public nature recorded, upon the town records, until 
we come to the year 1808, when the country became greatly 
agitated, in consequence of an embargo, laid, December 22, 
1807, on recommendation of President Jefferson, upon the 
shipping in the ports of the United States. For many years, 
American ships had profited, very much, by a general destruc- 
tion of commerce, in consequence of the wars then transpiring 
in Europe. As neutrals, our ships had been allowed to enter 
all ports, in consequence of which privilege, a brisk and profit- 
able business was done by our shipping. In 1801), England 
issued her orders to blockade the ports of France and her allies. 
This order was soon followed, by Napoleon's Berlin decree, 
closing the harbors of England. In addition to this, P^ngland 
claimed the "right of search," under color of which, American 
vessels were ])oarded, on the high seas, and their seamen, im- 
pressed into the English service. This outrageous conduct, on 
the part of England, had been strenuously opposed by our 
countrymen, but had never been disavowed by England. 

In 1807, an event occurred, which brought on a crisis with 
Great Britain. In June of that year, the American frigate 
Chesapeake, which had just set sail for the Mediterranean, was 
stopped by the British ship of war Leopard. Her commander 
refusing to permit a search, she was fired upon and forced to 
surrender four of her crew. She returned immediately to 
Hampton Roads. The intelligence of this outrage spread, like 
a prairie fire, over the whole country, wrapping it in a flame of 
intensest indignation. But while this outrage was disowned by 
the English government, and two of the men sent back to 
America, the order against neutrals entering the ports of France, 
still remained unrevoked, while a new decree of the French 
Emperor followed. In order to countervail Napoleon's Berlin 
and Milan decrees, and the British orders regarding the block- 
ade of French ports, congress laid its embargo upon American 
shipping, prohibiting the departure, from the ports of the 



104 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

United States, of all but foreign armed vessels, with public 
commissions, or foreign merchants' ships, in ballast, or with 
such cargo only, as they might have on board, when notified of 
the act. All American vessels, engaged in the coasting trade, 
were required to give heav}^ bonds to land their cargoes in the 
United States. In consequence of such an act of congress, all 
our commerce was speedily paralyzed, and consequent suffering 
ensued throughout the country. ■« 

The people of Gardner shared in the general inconvenience 
and sufiering. Consequently acting, in the same high toned 
spirit, which had distinguished them in former years, a spirit 
which caused them to feel that they were the peers of all Amer- 
icans, not excepting those highest in authority, they boldly ad- 
dressed a petition to his excellency, Thoman Jefferson, then on 
the last year of his second term, as President of the United 
States, setting forth in l)ecoming phraseology, their difficulties 
and burdens and calling on him for " a i-edress of grievances." 

It appears, from the records, that a town meeting was called, 
September 16, 1808, for the special purpose of seeing if the 
town would take any action, in regard to the difficulties then 
pending. The second article in the warrant was as follows : 
" To hear a letter, from the town of Boston, directed to the 
selectmen of the town of Gardner, to be laid before the inhabi- 
tants of said town, and act or transact anything relating 
thereto." 

Upon this article the following vote was passed: " Voted, 
That the town of Gardner draw a petition to send to the Pres- 
ident of the United States, agi'eeable to the article in the war- 
rant for that purpose. Voted, That there be a committee, of 
three men, chosen to draw this petition. Chose Jonathan Os- 
good, Aaron Wood and Asa Hill for this committee. Voted, 
That this meeting be adjourned for one hour and then meet at 
this place. Met according to adjournment. Voted, That a 
copy, of this petition, be taken and kept. Voted, That the 
selectmen sign the petition, and that the said committee that 
drawed it, forward it on, to the President of the United States." 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 105 

That the reader, looking back upon the events of that period 
and reviewing them in the light of present experiences, may see 
the " unsuppressive metal" of which the inhabitants of our 
town were then possessed, we introduce here, as the closing part 
of this chapter, the exact petition Avhich they voted, in town 
meeting, to present to Mr. Jefferson. We have no means of 
ascertaining the effect which this document had upon that solid 
democrat, except that which w^e find in the significancy of dates. 
As will be observed, the petition is dated September IGth, 1808 ; 
the embargo was repealed' February 27th, 1809, making only 
five months between the date of the petition and the repeal of 
the act. 

The petition was undoubtedly prepared by Mr. Osgood, 
the first pastor, and ready to be acted upon, when the town 
should come together. Mr. Osgood was a staunch Federalist. 

To the President of the United States: 

The inhabitants of the town of Gardner, in the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts, in legal town meeting, called for the 
express purpose of petitioning your Excellency, respectfully 
represent : That we feel the importance of submitting to, and 
supporting the laws of our country, in common with the citizens 
of the United States, and we think we ever have been, and 
ever shall be w^illing to make any sacrifice that shall be neces- 
sary for the true interest and honor of our nation ; but, in time 
of great distress and trouble, we think it no less our duty, than 
our privilege, to assemble in a peaceable manner, and petition 
the government for a redress of grievances. Being impressed 
with these sentiments, we feel impelled to confess, to your Ex- 
cellency, that we, in common with our fellow citizens, of New 
England, sufier great and increasing difficulties from the oper- 
ation of the laws laying an embargo on the shipping and vessels, 
in the ports and harbors of the United States of America. Could 
we perceive an end of our troubles, we would patiently acqui- 
esce, but, with astonishment, we perceive ^hat the embargo is 
not a temporary measure, but injoined by perpetual laws. We 
14 



106 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

grant that Congress has power to regulate commerce, but to 
make laws to abolish it, or to prevent all foreign intercourse, 
we doubt whether this was ever contemplated being granted to 
that body, b}^ the framers of the constitution of the United 
States. Your petitioners, living in a district Avhere agriculture 
is the principal employment of the inhabitants, and therefore 
cannot, from their own industry, supply themselves with all the 
conveniences of life and while an interdiction of commerce re- 
mains, much of the produce of their farms must remain, as a 
dead weight, upon their hands, or be disposed of to little or no 
aclvantaoe. 

It is very evident from the experience of our ancestors, Avho 
came into this country with a design, solely to cultivate the soil, 
that we cannot comfortably live by that, without the aid of for- 
eign intercourse. And commerce appears to be designed, by 
God, for the comfort and convenience of mankind, that the 
diiferent productions of the earth, might be transported from 
one place to another, for the mutual beneiit of man. Being 
heretofore accustomed to the advantage of commerce, and from 
the surplusage of our produce, we were enabled to supply our- 
selves with the conveniences of life. This now being inter- 
dicted, our encouragement to industry is small, and the embar- 
rassments we, with all ranks of society, labor under, are great, 
and mau}^, who, by industry, had arrived to a degree of inde- 
pendence, in point of property, find it so fallen in value, that 
it might be nearly or quite all sacrificed, to the disadvantage of 
their debts. 

To extricate themselves from this situation, all their exer- 
tions avail nothing, and they can only lament the wretched 
situation into which they are brought, and the prospect of their 
families being left to depend upon the cold hand of charity for 
support. Our troubles and distress are rendered more severe 
by a conviction that the British Provinces, in North America, 
are, by the embargo laws, acquiring advantage over us, which 
their natural situation and circumstances, could never have 
given them. Besides this, the embargo laws, which subject us 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 107 

to such great sufterings, the prospect or policy of which is, to 
say the least, very doubtful, and the temptation to violate those 
laws, from the very nature of mankind, is almost irresistible. 
These laws, Ave think, will have a great tendency to destroy the 
morals of society, and to introduce loose principles and a con- 
tempt for the laws, which are more to be dreaded, than the 
great waste of property. 

From these and various other considerations, Avhich might be 
mentioned, and particularly from the alteration in the affairs 
of Europe, your petitioners pray your Excellency, wdiolly, or 
partiall}^ to suspeud the embargo laws, if in your power; if 
not, to convene congress, as soon as may be, or if in your 
wisdom, it should be thought not advisable to call them together, 
uutil the time to which they are adjourned, to lay before them 
when met, the im[)ortance of a repeal of those laws, which so 
severely atHict the inhabitants of the United States. 
A true copy, attest, 

Reuben Haynes, Town Clerk. 

Dated at Gardner, Sept. 16th, 1808. 

There is a pretty well founded conviction, in the minds of 
our citizens, that Mr. Jefferson made reply to this petition, but, 
such was its nature and import, that those who received it, 
never cared to make it public. 



108 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER V. 

ROADS. 

" These high wild hills aurl rough uneven waj's 
Draw out our miles and make them wearisome." 

— Bichard II, Act. II, Scene III. 

SAVING observed, somewhat, the conduct of the early 
inhabitants, of the town, in their relation to state and 
national matters, we now return to the more prosaic labor, of 
considering them, in the ordinary transactions of life. We 
shall now direct attention to the roads of the town, having first 
had something to say about roads, as not only a necessity, but 
also a sign and natural concomitant of human progress. Start- 
ing from the serpentine trail of the wild man, after which many 
modern roads seem to have been modeled, and following along 
through paths denoted by " blazed trees," till we come to 
the most complete achievements of recent times, we are con- 
vinced that roads, like other objects in nature, are subject to 
the scientists' law of evolution and development, with, in many 
instances, " a survival of the fittest." 

Gibbon tells us, in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman 
Empire," in speaking of the principal cities of that empire, 
that "from A. D. 98 to 180, they were connected with each 
other, and with the capital, by the public highways, which, 
issuing from the forum of Rome, traversed Italy, pervaded the 
provinces, and were terminated only by the frontiers of the 
empire. If we carefully trace the distance from the wall of 
Antoninus to Rome, and from thence to Jerusalem, it will be 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 109 

found that the great chain of communication, from the north- 
west to the southeast point of the empire, was drawn out to the 
length of four thousand and eighty Roman miles, or three 
thousand, seven hundred and forty English miles. 

" The public roads were actually divided by mile-stones, and 
ran in a direct line, from one city to another, with very little 
respect for the obstacles either of nature or private property. 
Mountains were perforated, and l)old arches thrown over the 
broadest and most rapid streams. The middle part of the road 
was raised into a terrace, which commanded the adjacent coun- 
try, and consisted of several strata of sand, gravel and cement, 
and was paved Avith large stones, or, in some places near the 
capital, with granite. Such was the solid construction of the 
Roman highways, whose firmness has not entirely yielded to 
the effort of fifteen centuries. They united the subjects of the 
most distant provinces by an easy and familiar intercourse ; but 
their primary object had been to facilitate the marches of the 
legions ; nor was any country considered as completely sub- 
dued, till it had been rendered, in all its parts, pervif)us to the 
arms and authority of the conqueror. The advantage of re- 
ceiving the earliest intelligence, and of conveying their orders 
with celerity, induced the emperors to establish, throughout 
their extensive dominions, the regular institution of posts. 
Houses were everywhere erected, at a distance of only five or 
six miles, each of them was constantly supplied with forty 
horses, and by the help of these relays, it was easy to travel a 
hundred miles a day, along the Roman roads."* 

It will be seen, from this statement, that public roads, among 
the Romans, were a " military necessity," and that they far 
excelled, in solid firmness and smoothness, anything of the sort 
seen in our own country. But, while Rome was thus fiivored 
with good roads, it is evident that she was an exception to most 
other countries of importance, both before and since the period 
of which Gibbon writes. 

Gibbon's Rome, vol. 1st, p. 63-G4. 



no HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

According to writers upon Palestine, there never have been, 
in that country, anything like roads fitted for the passage of 
wheeled vehicles. Chariots were sometimes used on the plains, 
and in the lowlands. Only miserable bridle paths exist for 
the accommodation of travelers. Even in England, according 
to Macaulay, as late as sixteen eighty-five, the public highwa3^s 
were very poor, and, at certain seasons of the year, well nigh 
impassable. In speaking of the roads at that time, he says, 
" it was by the highways that both travelers and goods gener- 
ally passed from place to place. And those highways appear 
to have been far worse than might have been expected from the 
degree of wealth and civilization which the nation had even 
then attained. On the best lines of communication the ruts 
w^ere deep, the descents precipitous, and the way often such as 
it was hardly possible to distinguish, in the dusk, from the 
unclosed heath and fen which lay on both sides. 

"It was only in fine weather that the whole breadth of the 
road was available for wheeled vehicles. 01"ten the mud lay 
deep on the right and left, and only a narrow track of firm 
ground rose above the quagmire. At such times obstructions 
and quari'els were frequent, and the path was sometimes blocked 
up during a long time by carriages, neither of which would 
break the Avay. It happened almost every day that coaches 
stuck fast, until a team of cattle could be procured, from some 
neisfhborino- farm, to tug them out of the slouirh. But in bad 
seasons the traveler had to encounter inconveniences still more 
serious. Thoresby, who was in the habit of traveling between 
Leeds and the capital, has recorded in his diary, such a series 
of perils and disasters as might suffice for a journey to the 
Frozen Ocean or to the Desert of Sahara. On one occasion he 
learned that floods were out between Ware and London, that 
passengers had to swim for their lives, and that a higgler had 
perished in an attempt to cross. In consequence of these tid- 
ings he turned out of the high road, and was conducted across 
some meadows, wdiere it was necessary for him to ride to the 
saddle-skirts in water. In the course of another journey he 



HISTORY OF GARDJSTER. Ill 

narrowly escaped being swept away by an inundation of the 
Trent. He was afterwards detained at Stamford four days, on 
account of the state of the roads, and then ventured to proceed 
only because fourteen members of the House of Commons, who 
were going up in a bod}^ to parliament with guides and numer- 
ous attendants took him into their company. On the roads of 
Derbyshire travelers were in constant fear for their necks, and 
were frequently compelled to alight and lead their beasts. 

"The great route through Wales to Holyhead Avas in such state 
that, in sixteen eightj'-tive, a viceroy, going to Ireland, was 
live hours in traveling fourteen miles, from St. Asaph to Con- 
way. Between Conway and Beaumaris, he was forced to walk 
a great part of the way ; and his lady was carried in a litter. 
His coach was, with great difficulty, and by the help of many 
hands, brought after him entire. In general, carriages were 
taken to pieces at Conway, and borne, on the shoulders of 
stout Welsh peasants, to the Menai Straits. In some parts of 
Kent and Sussex none but the strongest horses could, in winter, 
get through the bog, in which, at every step, they sank deep. 

" The markets were often inaccessible during several months. 
It is said that the fruits of the earth were sometimes suffered 
to rot in one place, while in another place, distant only a few 
miles, the supply fell far short of the demand. The wheeled 
carriages were, in this district, generally pulled by oxen. When 
Prince George of Denmark visited the stately mansion of Pet- 
worth, in wet weather, he was six hours in going nine miles; 
and it was necessary that a body of sturdy hinds should be on 
each side of the coach, in order to prop it. Of the carriages 
which conveyed his retinue several were upset or injured. A 
letter, from one of his gentlemen in waiting, has been preserved 
in which the unfortunate courtier, complains that, during four- 
teen hours, he never alighted, except when his coach was over- 
turned or stuck fast in the mud. People, in the time of Charles 
the Second, traveled with six horses, because, with a smaller 
number, there was great dana-er of sticking fast in the mire."* 

*See Macaulay's History of EnglaDcl, vol. 1st, p. 280-284. 



112 HISTORY OF GABBNER. 

These extracts, from Macimlay, are sufficient to give the 
reader, not already familiar with the facts, some idea of the 
condition of roads in England less than two hundred 3'ears ago, 
and show him how patiently and often with what great risk to 
comfort and life, even the highest noblemen in the king's realm, 
made their wearisome journeys over the kingdom. Of course, 
when the Pilgrim Fathers began the settlement of this country, 
they had to furnish themselves with whatever roads they needed. 
It must, however, be borne in mind, that, for several years, 
they had but little occasion for the nse of what we now call 
highways. Only Indian trails, through the forest, or blazed 
trees, guided them from place to place. But, with increasing 
and more Avidely spreading populations, there soon arose the 
necessity for public highways. This necessity demanded the 
attention of the General Court in both the Plymouth and Mas- 
sachusetts colonies, so that we find in the colonial records, fre- 
quent legislation upon this subject. A few extracts we will 
here introduce, to show tiie reader how the peo[)le of the colo- 
nies began that system of highways, which has since spread 
itself out like net work, over the entire land. 

October 1st, 1634, at a court holden before the governor and 
assistants the following named persons were appointed for lay- 
ing out the highways : For Duxbury side, Capt. INIiles Stand- 
ish, Mr. William Collier, Jonathan Brewster, William Palmer, 
Stephen Tracy — men familiarly associated in the minds of all, 
with every event of importance in the early colonies, from the 
landing of the Pilgrims in the Mayflower, to their establish- 
ment upon a firm basis in town and state. 

" At a court of Assistants held the second day of May, in the 
12th year of his Majesty's reign, of England, etc. May 2d, 
1637, Bradford, governor. It was ordered by this court, that 
a jury should be empaneled to set forth, the highways about 
Plymouth, Ducksborrow, and the Eele River, which was ac- 
cordingly summoned, and upon the ninth day of May next 
after they appeared before the governor, and took their oath to 
lay forth su(-h highways about the towns of Plymouth, Ducks- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 113 

borrow, and the Eele River equally and justly, without respect 
of persons, and according as they shall be directed b}^ the in- 
formation of others, and as God should direct them in their 
discretion, for the general good of the colony, and Avith as little 
prejudice to any man's particular as may be, and to mark the 
trees upon the said way, and so it to remain a way forever." 

We omit the names of jurymen given. "July 7. The ver- 
dict or order of the aforesaid jury, performed by them the tenth 
day of May, 1637, and delivered l)y them into the General 
Court held the 6th of July next after, and by the same con- 
firmed in these words following, viz : — 

'"It is agreed, that the highways, both for horse, cart and 
foot, shall be as followeth : From the town of Plymouth to 
Joanes River, as it was cleared, provided it be holpen at Mr. 
AUerton's, by going through the old cow-yard, at the river, the 
place being commonl}^ called the Old Wading Place, and so 
through a valley up the hill, and then to turn straight to Abra- 
ham Pierce's around, and through his "round as it is marked, 
and so the old path to Massachusetts, leaving Mr. Bradford's 
upon the west, and from Mr. Bradford's to Stephen Tracy's 
ground, as the way now lyeth, being already trenched, a foot 
way from the lower stepping stones to Stephen Tracy's, the 
highway lying through Stephen Tracy's field now enclosed. 
Also, we allow a way from Francis Billington's ground through 
the nook, as it now lyeth, to the ferry, and from the ferry to 
Stephen Tracy's house, and so through the meadow to the 
bridge. The highway from Stephen Tracy's ground through the 
other grounds, as far as the trees were marked, to the bridge 
at John Rodgers and from John Rodgers along as the way 
now lyeth to the corner of Jonathan Brewster's cow-yard, and 
so by a valley down his ground, near to the house of Mr. Prince, 
and from thence the old way to Christopher Wadsworth, whose 
palisade is to be removed and a sufficient way allowed to enter 
into Francis Sprage's ground, and there to fall into a way, that 
leads from Morton's Hole, to Ducksborrow town, and from 
thence a Avay to fall to the CaptJiin Standish's and Mr. Brews- 
15 



114 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

ter's, as it is now marked, the ancient foot way to be continued 
from Mr. Brewster's to Francis Sprage's, and so through Wil- 
liam Bassett's ground to the highway. The highway leading 
from Christopher Wadsworth to be continued through Francis 
Sprage's and William Bassett's, being his garden or orchard to 
the east side. Also, we allow a highway from the cut between 
William Bassett's and Francis Sprage's, to go to Ducksborrow 
toAvn ; the highway to be continued from William Bassett's 
garden or orchard, through John Washburne's ground, to Wil- 
liam Palmer's gate, as it now is, and so along through Peter 
Brown's ground, by the outside of which we allow a way to the 
marsh, and up to the woods ; the way still to pass by Henry 
Rowland's house, leaving it on the east side, so keeping the old 
way through the marsh to Mr. John Alden's house, and from 
thence through a valley which leadeth to the corner of Phillip 
Delanoy's field, so to pass to Edward Bumpas' house, and forty 
foot to be allowed above his house straight to Rowland Ley- 
horne's house to Green's harbor path. The upper part also to 
be allowed as marked from Mr. Rowland's. '"* 

" Whereas, The highways in this jurisdiction, have not been 
laid out, with such conveniency for travelers as were fit, nor as 
was intended by this court, but that in some places, they are 
felt too straight, and in other places travelers are forced to go 
far about, it is therefore ordered that all highways shall be laid 
out before the next General Court, so as may be with most ease 
and safety for travelers ; and for this end every town shall choose 
two or three men, who shall join with two or three others, of 
the next town, and these shall have power to lay out the high- 
ways, in each town where they may be most convenient; and 
those which are so deputed shall have power to lay out the 
highways where they may be most convenient, notwithstanding 
any man's property, or any corn ground, so as it occasion not 
the pulling down any man's house, or laying open any garden 
or orchard, and in common grounds or where the soil is wet or 

♦From Plymouth Colony Records, vol. 1st, p. 58-59. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 115 

, miry they shall lay the ways the wider, as six or eight or ten 
rods, or more, in common grounds ; provided, that if any man 
shall suffer any extraordinary damage in his improved grounds, 
by execution of this order, the town shall make him some 
reasonable satisfaction, provided also that if any case shall fall 
out wherein those that are deputed, cannot agree, it shall be 
referred to the determination of this court ; and if any person 
shall find himself unjustly grieved with anything which the said 
persons deputed shall do, he may appeal to this court, or to the 
Court of Assistants, who shall have power to determine the 
cause ; but if the party shall be found to have complained with- 
out just cause, he shall pay all charges, and be fined by the 
discretion of the court. And all towns are enjoined to have 
this order performed before the next General Court, upon pjjin 
of five pounds, for every town making default. And it is not 
intended that any person shall be charged with repairing the 
highways in his own land."* 

We come now to consider the roads of this town, from their 
earliest history. It Avill be remembered that the first town 
meeting was held August 15th, 1785. The second meeting 
was called the following month, September 6th, 1785. The 
second article in the warrant, for this meeting, was this : "To 
know their minds relating to a count}'- road, going through said 
town, and act anything relating thereto, as they shall think 
proper." At this meeting it was " Voted, That it is the opinion 
of the town, that the county road ought to go through the centre 
of said town. Voted, To petition the court, for a committee 
to lay said road through the centre of the town of Gardner." 

The following is the petition which gives us the first action 
of the town regarding public highways : — 

To the Court of Quarter Sessions, noiv sitting at Woi'cester, 
in and for the County of Worcester. A request of the Town of 
Gardner : 

Whereas, A committee from the Honorable Court have lately 
laid out a county road from Royalston down through part of 

*From Massachusetts Colony Records, vol. 1st, p. 280. 



116 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

this town, and as it is now laid, it will not convene this town, 
nor the public, so well as if it was laid through the centre of 
the tow^i ; therefore we pray the Honorable Court would not 
accept of the road no further down than the line of Jonathan 
Bancroft's and Ebenezei" Keyes', which is about three-quarters of 
a mile above our centre ; and it is our request, that a committee 
may be sent and view and lay out a road from the above men- 
tioned place, through our centre and come into the county road 
that leads from Winchendon to Westminster meeting-house ; to 
come into that road near Josiah Wheeler's, or between there 
and Westminster meeting-house, where it will best serve the 
public. This way has been measured since the committee Avere 
here, and found to be the nearest, and supposed to make the 
best way. 

This day the town voted the above request to be sent to court, 
being assembled together for that purpose. Then the meeting 
was dissolved. 

Seth Heywood, Clerk. 

At the next town meeting, held November 7th, 1785, the 
following article in the warrant was up for consideration : "To 
know the minds of the town concerning the roads that are to 
be laid out, what width they would have them laid out, or what 
direction they will give concerning the same." Upon this 
article the town " Voted, To lay out the roads two rods and a 
half wide." At an adjourned meeting, held November 14th, 
1785, the town voted to reconsider the foregoing vote, and 
" Voted, To lay out the roads two rods wide." 

In the subsequent year, 1786, at the annual town meeting, the 
following article concerning roads was inserted in the warrant ; 
" To see if the town will accept of a number of roads, viz. : A 
road laid out for William Goss. Beoinnino; on the line of lot 
number fifteen about four rods from the southwest corner of 
the same, beginning at a stake and stones, from thence straight 
to a hemlock about ten rods from the stake standino; about a rod 
north of the line, between lot number fifteen and thirty-six, 
from thence to a ledire of rocks about twentv rods in said line, 



HISTOMY OF GARDJ^ER. Ill 

from thence to the northeast corner of lot number thirty-six, 
hiid out upon the south side of said boundaries. 

" Also a road laid out from Reuben Haynes' house, as the 
road is now trod, until 3'ou come within two rods of Moses 
Hill's land, thence to the southwest corner of said Hill's lot, 
from thence straight, two rods, to the west of the southeast 
corner of lot number thirty-six, from thence straight to a 
marked stump in the old town line, about twenty-live rods, 
south of Gideon Fisher's house, from thence straight to Wil- 
liam Fisher's land, that he bought of Gideon Fisher, two rods 
to the west of the old town line. Keeping two rods west of 
the old town line on William Fisher and Ebenezer Howe's land, 
until you come to the county road that leads from Winchendon 
to Westminster ; laid out on the east side of said boundaries 
and beginning at a heap of stones in Edward Kelton's fence 
at the above said county road, about twenty-one rods from 
Ebenezer Howe's land, from thence straight through said Kel- 
ton's land and through the Dana lot, to a rock with some stones 
upon it in Peter Goodale's land, near the swamp at the old 
road, laid out upon the west side of said boundary. 

"And also a road laid out beginning at the old road, by 
Capt. Kelton's, that leads to Ashburnham, from thence to a 
stake and stone in the fence about two rods to the southeast of 
Capt. Kelton's house, from thence to a rock in said Kelton's 
land, from thence to a beech in the line between said Kelton's 
and Josiah Wilder's land, from thence to a stake and stones in 
said Wilder's land, two rods east of the line between said 
Wilder and Wheeler, from thence straight to the line between 
said Wilder and said Wheeler at twenty rods from the stake and 
stone, from thence to the southeast corner of said Wheeler lot 
at the other road laid out on the west side of said boundary. 

"And a road laid out beginning at a hemlock stump a little 
beyond the Widow Hill's, in the fence on the east side of the 
old road, from thence to a heap of stones in the old road, to 
the southeast of the Widow Hill's, from thence to a hemlock in 
the low land, from thence to a heap of stones at the county 



118 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

road leading from Winchendon to Westminster, about forty 
rods east of the above said Hill's land, laid out on the north- 
westerly side of said boundaries. 

" And a road laid out beginning at a stake and stones in the 
line between Jonathan P. Whitcomb and John White, from 
thence to a stake and stones at said White's orchard, thence to 
a heap of stones, four rods, to the southwest corner of said 
White's house, thence through Wallace's land, and David 
Comee's land to the end of the wall about a rod west of said 
Comee's house, at the county road, laid out on the west side of 
said boundaries. 

" And a road laid out for Levi Fairbanks, beginning at the 
northwest corner of lot number ninety-five, formerly in West- 
minster, running southwesterly on the old town line upon the 
south side of said line until it come to the southeast corner of 
John Putnam's lot, from thence one rod on each side of the old 
town line until you come within about twelve rods of David 
Comee's land, at a hemlock, from thence to a hemlock in Mr. 
Wallace's laud, thence to a great hemlock marked, near the 
causeway, continuing the same course until it strikes White's 
road, on the north side of said hemlock. 

" And a road laid out from the county road at the line be- 
tween David Comee's and Joseph Payson, running southwest- 
erly one rod, on each side of the line until we come to the lot 
number one hundred and four, and through said lot, by marked 
trees, to a great rock in the new county road that leads from 
Lieut. Wheeler's to John Glazier's, laid out on the north side 
of said boundaries. 

"And a road laid out from the east corner of Joshua Whit- 
ney's land, straight to the northwest corner of Elijah Symond's 
lot, from thence to a stake and stones about three rods to the 
southeast of Stephen Miles' house, thence east to a pine stump, 
about eight rods, thence through fourth division, to the south 
corner of Elisha Jackson's and Joseph Wright's lot, thence to a 
rock with some stones upon it, a little east of the line between 
said Jackson and Wright's, thence to a rock about a rod east 



HISTORY OF GARDNEB. 119 

of said line, thence to a white pine, about four rods upon said 
Wright's hmd, thence to a maple in said Wright's land, thence 
to a maple in William Biekfoid's land, thence to a stake and 
stone near the meadow line, thence to a marked stump in said 
Bickford's land, about ten feet from the meadow line, thence to 
a pine stump, about two rods to the south of the bank below 
the mill, thence to the west corner of said Bickford's house and 
on the back side of said house, out to the county road, laid out 
on the west side of said boundaries. 

"And a road laid beo;inning at Simon Gates', lot number 
twenty-six, at the Westminster road, thence on the line between 
Gates and the Widow Margaret Miles and Josiah Kendall and 
Edward, and said Gates, one rod on each side of the line, until 
it comes to a stake and stone in said Gates' land, thence to a 
hemlock, thence through fourth division to a stake and stones, 
two rods to the south of John Matthews' north corner, thence 
to a beech, thence through the Beaman lot, to a hemlock, out 
to the county road, leading to Winchendon, laid out upon the 
north of said boundaries. 

"And a road laid out through Samuel Sanderson's, Samuel 
Edgell's, John and Stephen Hoar's, Samuel Miller's and Cut- 
ting: Hoar's land, beo^inning at the said Sanderson's barns at a 
heap of stones, thence to a hemlock, thence to a stake and 
stones at the line of said Sanderson's and said Edgell's, thence 
to a hemlock, thence to a hemlock, thence to a hemlock, thence 
to a black birch, thence to a hemlock, thence to a hemlock, 
thence to a maple, thence to a maple, thence to a beech, thence 
to a birch, thence to a beech, thence to a hemlock, thence to an 
oak, thence to a bunch of maples at the new county road, on 
the south of said boundary. 

"A road laid out for Elijah Wilder and others, beginning at 
a hemlock in Jesse Hill's land, at the old road near his last line, 
thence to a hemlock in Samuel Clark's land, thence southerly 
to a hemlock on Joseph Clark's land, thence easterly to a 
white pine on Benjamin Clark's land, thence easterly to a hem- 
lock on said Clark's land, and comes into the old road by Ben- 
jamin Clark's house, on the southwest of said boundaries. 



120 HISTOItY OF GARDNER. 

"And a road laid out for Jonathan Eaton, beginning at the 
southeasterly corner of lot number one hundred and sevent}'- 
nine and one hundred and eighty, running northerly upon 
the line of said lots, to the new county road, one rod on each 
lot. 

"And a road laid out beginning at Jonathan Bancroft's fence, 
about four rods, southeast of said Bancroft's house, on the 
westerly side of the road that is now trod, thence to a maple 
near the line between said Bancroft and Ebenezer Keyes, thence 
to a white pine, thence to a poplar standing about two rods 
from the south corner of the pond, thence to a white ash in said 
Keyes' land, near the line between said Keyes and Seth Hey- 
wood, from thence through said Heywood's land, to a heap of 
stones, which was the corner of Winchendon and Ashburnham, 
laid out on northeast side of said boundaries. 

" In all the above said roads, laid out by the selectmen two 
rods wide, except from the west corner of William Bickford's 
house, out to the county road, which is but one rod and a half, 
and it is laid across William Fisher's meadow about twelve 
rods, but twenty feet wide. 

"To see if the town will discontinue any of the old roads, 
or any part of roads or road, as they shall think best, and also 
to see if the town will alloAv any person that has more of their 
lands taken for roads, than the allowance for the same that they 
shall be credited for the same in their other lots, or act anything 
relating thereunto, as they shall think l)cst." 

The minuteness of the above description may seem some- 
what trivial to the reader, but he must remember that this town 
was then little else than a wilderness, through which these roads 
were laid, by the selectmen, whose direction, they indicated by 
blazing the trees along the line of the proposed highway. 
Upon the above routes, as laid out by the selectmen, the town 
at an adjourned meeting, March 14th, 1786, voted as follows : — 

" Accepted of Mr. William Goss's road; accepted the road 
from Mr. Reuben Haynes to the county road ; accepted the road 
from the county road to Peter Goodale's land as the said roads 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 121 

are now Itiid ; accepted the road from Capt. Samuel Kelton to 
Josiah Wilder's. Voted, To accept the road, heginning at Mr. 
Jonathan P. Whitcomb's to John Whites. Voted, To accept 
of a road, beghmiug at Levi Fairbanks, leading to David 
Comce's. Voted, To accept of the road laid out for David 
Comee and others, beginning at the county road and ending at 
the new county road. Voted, Not to make allowance to any 
for the old roads laid out before. Voted, To accept of the 
road from Mr. Joshua Whitney's, coming out at Mr. Bickford's. 
Voted, To accept of the road from Mr. Simon Gates' to Lieut. 
Josiah Wheeler's. Voted, To accept the road from Mr. San- 
derson's, by Mr. Edgell's to the county road. Voted, To ac- 
cept of the road from Jesse Hill's to Benjamin Clark's. Voted, 
To accept of a road from Mr. eTonathan Bancroft's to Mr. Seth 
Hey wood's. Voted, To accept of a road for Mr. Jonathan 
Eaton as laid oat. The above said roads accepted as laid out 
by the selectmen of Gardner. Voted, To mend the highways 
by a rate this year. Voted, Sixty pounds to be laid out on the 
highways, to mend and make them this present year." This is 
the first appropriation for making and mending of highways in 
the town of Gardner. 

It appears from the records that some were not satisfied Avith 
the action of the town, as above indicated, and began to make 
their feelings known to such an extent that the town felt 
obliged to take formal notice of their uneasiness. Among 
those dissatisfied with the damages awarded them, were Lieut. 
Seth Hey wood and Capt. William Bickford, the former de- 
manding sixty dollars and the latter eighteen dollars as damages 
for roads laid through their lands. Upon the fifth day of June 
following their first annual March meeting, 1786, the town 
"Voted, To choose a committee for to agree with those men 
that are uneasy with their roads that were accepted last March." 
This committee gave their report at an adjourned meeting, June 
12th, which was not accepted by the town. However, " It was 
put to see if the town would give Lieut. Seth Heywood sixty 
dollars for the damages of a road laid through his land, that 
16 



122 HISTORY OF GARDI^jER. 

being what he requested for the damages." It passed in the 
negative. Upon the request of Mr. William Bickford for 
damages of a road laid through his land " It was put to see if 
the town would give him eighteen dollars." It passed in the 
negative. 

At the annual town meeting, March 3d, 1788, the town 
" Voted, To choose a committee to see if they can settle with 
Seth Hevwood concernino; a road laid throuoh his land and 
make report at the adjournment of this meeting." This com- 
mittee made their report as follows and it was accepted by the 
town : " We have considered the matter with Mr. Hey wood 
concerning a road throuo;h his land. He asked three shillinofs 
a rod for one hundred and thirty-two rods of wall ; we have 
offered nine pounds ; then he offers to make one quarter of the 
wall ; we thought we could not offer anything more." 

In the warrant for the annual town meeting for March 2d, 
1789, was the following article: "To hear the petition of 
Seth Hey wood with the order of court thereon, concerning a 
road through said Hey wood's land, and take such action thereon 
and concerning said road, as the town shall think proper when 
met." Upon this article the town "■ Voted, To choose a com- 
mittee to try and settle with Seth Heywood and if they cant, 
to make answer to the court." At an adjourned meeting March 
9th, the town "Voted, That the selectmen be a committee to 
try to settle with Lieut. Seth Heywood, and if they cannot to 
make answer to his petition at the court concerning his road, 
which is as follows : — 

To the HonorahJe the Justices of the Court of General Ses- 
sions of the Peace to he holden, at Worcester, within and for 
the County of Worcester, on the first Tuesday of September, 
A. D. 1789: 

The petition of Seth Heywood humbly showeth, that the 
town of Gardner, in March, 1786, laid out, and accepted a road, 
through a part of your petitioner's land, of between sixty and 
seventy rods in length, thereby separating about four acres of 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 123 

mostly improved laud, in a triangular form, from the rest of 
his farm, and which 'svill oblige him, to build upward of one 
hundred and thirty rods of stone wall, as there is not timber 
near the same that he can make use of for that purpose. That 
as your petitioner can receive no kind of benefit from the afore- 
said road ; and as there has been a county road, laid out and 
opened, across his farm, and another extensive town road, with- 
out any expense to the county or town, he must think that an 
unequal burden is laid upon him, and cannot therefore consent 
that the aforesaid road, should be continued, unless he has rea- 
sonable damages allowed him therefor ; that such damages your 
petitioner applied for, at the time of laying out and accepting 
the road ; that the matter has been under discussion, at various 
town meetings, from that time, down to the commencement of 
the present year, but no adequate damages have, or probably 
will be granted him, without the interposition of this Honorable 
Court. 

Your petitioner, therefore, prays 3'our Honors to take his 
case into your wise consideration, and grant him such relief, 
either by a discontinuance of said road, or causing him to be 
paid equal damages therefor as you shall think him justly en- 
titled to ; and as in duty bound shall ever pray. 

Seth Hey wood. 

Commomvealth of Massachusetts. 
Worcester, ss. 

At a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, begun and held 
at Worcester, within and for the county of Worcester, on the 
first Tuesday of September, being the second day of said 
month. Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
eight, on the foregoing petition, ordered that the petitioner 
therein named, notify the said inhabitants of the town of Gard- 
ner, by serving them Avith an attested copy of said peti- 
tion of the order thereon, thirty days, at the least, before the 
next Court of General Sessions of the Peace, to be holden at 
Worcester, within and for said county, on the last Tuesday of 



124 HISTORY OF GAllDNEll. 

March next, that said inhabitants may then and there show 
cause, if anj- they have, why the prayer of said petitioner 

should not be o-ranted. 

Attest, Jos. Allen, Clerk. 
Copy entered and attested. Jos. Allex, Clerk. 

No further trace of the controversy, between Lieut. Seth 
Hey wood and the town, can be found upon the town records. 
The presumption, however, is that some arrangement was made, 
satisfactory to the parties concerned, of which no record was 
preserved. The strusfo-le was Ions;, running through several 
years, and ended in the continuance of the road, as originally 
laid through Mr. Hey wood's land. This road is now a part of 
Central Street, beginning at the junction of Lynde and Central 
streets " at a heap of stones which was the corner of Winchen- 
don and Ashburnham" and running down to Crystal Lake. 

The triangular piece of land, spoken of in the petition, is 
the piece now bounded by Central and Lynde streets. It Avill 
be noticed that Winchendon and Ashburnham cornered near the 
junction of these two streets, under Capt. Gardner's house. 

The following is a petition which the town voted, March 25th, 
1794, to present to the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, 
concerning proposed alterations in the county road, then run- 
ning over Kendall Hill and on through South Gardner. It is 
here introduced, in part, to afford a glimpse of the town's con- 
dition then financially, as also to show the motives actuating a 
people, influenced by a tavern keeper, who is in great fear of los- 
ing a portion of his customers by diverting trade from his own 
" public house, that has been occupied for that service upwards 
of twenty years" : — 

To the llonorahle Court of the General Sessions of the Peace 
for the County of Worcester, to be holden at Worcester in and 
for said County, on Tuesday, the tiventy-fifth day of March, 
A. D., 1794: 

A petition of the town of Gardner, humbl}^ showeth, whereas, 
there have been several alterations made, in the county road 



HIS TOBY OF GARDNER. 125 

through this town, one in particular, south of Landlord Jack- 
son's and across a meadow below Capt. Bickford's mill, to the 
great damage of the town and individuals in said town, and we 
cannot see that the traveler can receive any real advantage by 
the same, and a great number of them seem to choose the old 
road, rather than the new one, as it is a good road and has been 
traveled upwards of forty years and goes upon a neck of land 
between two meadows, where it will be always kept good as it 
must be kept for a town way, and the new one is a very bad 
one to make, and if not discontinued it seems, we must have to 
apply to the Honorable Court for some help, before it can be 
made passable. 

It also will be a "reat damage on account of havins: mills be- 
ing put up at the lower end of the meadow, which we shall stand 
in great need of, for the mill, at the upper end of the meadow, 
in some seasons, cannot grind for one-half of the town now it 
is small, and when we come to have three times our [present] 
number, and lands cleared up, which will much shorten the 
water, it will make a wide odds, and we shall have to travel 
five, six, seven and eight miles for grinding, which will be a 
very great grievance ; it also takes it from a public house that 
has been occuiDied for that service, upwards of twenty years, 
and of late has been at great expense for buildings to serve the 
public : and as we have three county roads through this little 
town, and a most all our roads are new and very bad to make, 
and but a little while since our incorporation, and have had a 
meeting-house to build and of late a minister to settle, and have 
school houses to build, before we can reap any great advantage 
by schooling. We, therefore, pray your honors to take our 
case into your wise consideration and discontinue the new laid 
road, about eighty rods west of the Sawyer road, so called, to 
where it comes out again at the old road, up the hill, east of 
Capt. Bickford's new barn, and to keep the old road as it is now 
traveled, which is but two tallies further than the new one, 
which, had there been a full bench, we cannot think, would 
have l)een accepted. But, if your Honors should not see meet 



126 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

to discontinue the said piece of road, we then pray your Honors 
would appoint a new committee to view from Otter River bridge, 
so called, in Gardner to Westminster meeting-house, in order, 
if there must be an alteration, to hit upon the best place for the 
travel and cost, as we cannot think the last one, the meadow, 
is the best one, which, if a committee so granted, and should 
not report in [our] favor, and alteration from what the last 
committee did, they shall come at the expense of your petition- 
ers. All [of] which is humbly submitted and your petitioners 
in duty bound shall ever pray. 

" Voted, To choose a committee to present this petition to 
the court. Capt. Elisha Jackson was chosen committee." 

Without attempting to describe or even mention all the roads 
Avhich have been laid out in this town, whose name is legion, 
we will briefly notice those of most importance. It will be re- 
membered, that those who drew the remonstrance, against the 
petition of Wilder, Coolidge and the Priests to be restored to 
Winchendon, therein state that they have " laid out the biggest 
part of our roads, to convene that spot," that is, the centre of 
the town, where has since stood the first church ever built in 
town. These could not have been, what we are accustomed to 
call roads now-a-days, but, simply bridle paths, over which the 
early inhabitants rode on horseback to church. The first record 
we find, respecting the highway from the centre, toward the 
north part of the town, bears date November 22d, 1803, when 
the town, " Voted, To accept a road from the northwest corner 
of the pound near the meeting-house." This road was then 
laid out, no fiirther, in a northerly direction, than the Green place, 
now owned by Mr. Charles Heywood. Turning there, it ran 
towards Joel Matthews'. Beyond the Green phice, in a north- 
erly direction, there is no town record of the road's having been 
laid, notwithstanding such must have been the fact. The road, 
running east and west, through the centre, was the old county 
road from Royalston to Westminster. What is now called 
Lyude Street, is a part of the old road from Gardner to Tern- 



HISTORY OF GARDINER. 127 

pletoii, running westerly by Dr. Parker's mill, and coming into 
the old turnpike, about a mile this side of East Templeton, 
over which, in part, a new road has recently been laid. 

The following is the history of Elm Street : Soon after the 
first minister. Rev. Jonathan Osgood, was settled here, he built 
for himself, the house now^ owned by Dea. Henry Lawrence. 
The road from the church, to his house, w\as very crooked ; run- 
•ning around somewhere near the garden of Mr. Levi Heywood, 
behind Mr. John Edu'cll's old house, then veering to the rioht, 
then again to the left, where are still traces of its bed in the 
pasture of Mr. Edgell, it reached the spot near which Mr. 
Osgood erected his house, where it terminatecL 

In the warrant for the annual town meeting for March 5th, 
1792, was the following article : " To see if the town will 
make any alteration in the roads laid through the Rev. Mr. 
Osgood's land, and part of Mr. Seth Hey wood's land, as fol- 
lows, viz. : Beginning at a beech tree, in said Heywoocl's land, 
thence running southerly to a marked stump north of the cause- 
w^ay, near the old house in said Osgood's land ; also beginning 
at a stake in the fence south of said causew\ay and running east- 
erly to a hemlock marked, then keeping the same course till it 
strikes the road laid out for Ephraim Temple and others, laid 
two rods wide, northeasterly of said boundaries." At this town 
meeting it was " Voted, To accept of the alteration as made by 
the selectmen." 

Thus Elm Street was opened to the house of Mr. Osgood in 
March 1792. Beyond this point south, there was no road till 
March 2d, 1795. In the warrant, for the March meeting for 
the above named year, was this article : "To see if the town 
will accept of the alterations in the road between Capt. Wil- 
liam Bickford's and Rev. Jonathan Osgood's through Benjamin 
Sawin's land and the Rev. Jonathan Osgood's land, agreeable 
to the selectmen's minutes." At this meeting the town "Voted, 
To accept the alteration made in the road between Capt. Wil- 
liam Bickford's (now the house of Aaron Greenwood in South 
Gardner,) and the Rev. Jonathan Osgood's through Benjamin 



128 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Sawiii's land and the Rev. Jonathan Osgood's land." Thns by 
two separate efforts of the town, was obtained the road from 
the Centre to South Gardner. 

The road from the junction, near the house of H. C. Hill, to 
the corner in the West Village, has a somewhat interesting 
history. In October, 1832, the selectmen laid out this road, 
and brought their action before the town, for their acceptance 
or rejection. Strange as it may seem to us now, the town 
"Voted, To dismiss the article;" but, in less than one year 
after, September 14th, 1833, when the matter was again urged, 
they " Voted, To choose a committee to oppose or advocate the 
road," and on June 2d, 1834, the town •' Voted, To choose a 
committee to let out the road." 

From the corner in West Village, to the depot, on what is 
now called North Main Street, the road was laid, at two sepa- 
rate times. The first part, from Mr. Frank Conant's store to 
Mr. Philander Derby's chair shop, was laid out March 6th, 
1843. From the Fitchburg depot to Mr. Derby's shop the 
road was laid Feb. 3d, 1849. Spring Street was laid, March 
28th, 1851. The road from the Centre, througli Pleasant Street 
to the old turnpike, was relocated by the county commissioners 
October 19, 1857 ; also that from the Centre to South Gardner; 
also the old turnpike from the Westminster to the Templeton 
line. In 1842 the county commissioners relaid and ordered 
the immediate rebuilding of the old turnpike from Westminster 
to Templeton. The reconstruction of this road, cost the town 
about $7000, a j^art of which, was paid out of the surplusage of 
the United States revenue. School Street was laid out, to the 
slaughter-house of C. W. Morse, September 28th, 185(i ; Cross 
Street from Mr. Thomas E. Glazier's, to slaughter-house, July 
27, 1858 ; Cherry Street Avas extended, from the house of Miss 
Martha Barker to Elm Street, July 27th, 1858 ; the first part 
of Chestnut Street, from Central to Cross Street, was laid May 
17th, 1867 ; second part, from Cross Street, to Atherton house. 
May 17, 1869 ; the last part, from Atherton house, to Fitch- 
burg depot, August 29th, 1870 ; Maple Street, October 25th, 



I,'' : 



!l I'll"! I'^f^SHIl 







HI8T0EY OF GARDINER. .129 

1869 ; Cross Street was extended to Pine Street, May 12th, 
1871 ; Nichols Street was laid May 12th, 1871 ; Walnut Street 
was also laid May 12th, 1871 ; first part of Pine Street, from 
Lynde to Cross Street, August 19th, 1867 ; last part of Pine 
Street, from Cross to North Main Street, May 17th, 1869 ; Ver- 
non Street, May 26th, 1868 ; Washington Street, June 2d, 
1875 ; Mechanics Street, May 15, 1873; extended August 9th, 
1877; Lincoln Street, October 28th, 1873; Union Street, No- 
vember 1st, 1851 ; Summer Street, May 26th, 1868 ; extended 
May 12th, 1871 ; Mill Street ordered by the county commis- 
sioners May 24th, 1869; Prospect Street, August 29th, 1870; 
High Street extended, August 29th 1870; Conant Street was 
laid out October 28th, 1871. 

April 4th, 1870, there was an article in the warrant " to see 
if the town Avill take any measures to designate by name the 
different roads and streets in said town and act anything in re- 
lation thereto." Upon this article the town " Voted, To choose 
a committee of five to report to the town at some future meet- 
ing, uaraes for the several roads and streets." This committee, 
consisting of Charles Hey wood, Francis Eichardson, S. W. A. 
Stevens, John W. Hill and Asaph Wood, made their report 
September 6th, 1870, which was accepted, — sec. Town Records, 
vol. 5, p. 523 and following. At the same meeting the town 
" Voted, That the selectmen cause sign boards to be put up at 
the termini of each street in town." 

We have endeavored to give above, a pretty full summary of 
the roads in this town, while at the same time we are aware, 
that not all the roads, highways and byways have been men- 
tioned, a thing impossible and needless to do. As the years 
have gone by, there has been evident progress made, in the 
manner of constructing and caring for our highways. In its 
infancy and poverty, in 1786, the town expended the sum of 
three hundred dollars ; in the year 1877, the sum of three thou- 
sand dollars was appropriated for highways. While our roads 
are necessarily hilly, they are, as a general thing, kept in good 
repair, much vigilauce being constantly exercised over them by 
17 



130 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

our selectmen and road masters. It is to be hoped that before 
the hipse of many years, there will be a greater and more gen- 
eral interest manifested by the town, in the construction of 
sidewalks and planting of shade and ornamental trees along our 
streets. Within the last few years individuals have laid con- 
venient and permanent sidewalks in front of their own dwel- 
lings, and have erected lamp posts for the benefit of the public ; 
but much yet remains to be done in this direction, before the 
town is made to possess the attractiveness it is capable of. 

Having said thus much concerning the highways and streets 
of Gardner, from the earliest time to the present, it is thought 
best to introduce here some account of the Turnpike, which 
was once a marked feature of this town. By so doing we hope 
to preserve a record, for the benefit of future generations, of 
facts and scenes, of which they might otherwise remain forever 
ignorant. 

FIFTH MASSACHUSETTS TURNPUvE CORPORATION. 

This turnpike was incorporated March 1st, 1799. The rea- 
sons, for establishing it, are given in the preamble to the act 
of incorporation, in the following Avorcls : — 

WJiereas, The highway leading from Northfield in the county 
of Hampshire, through Warwick and Orange to Athol, and also 
from Greenfield through Montague and unimproved lands up 
Miller's liiver to Athol aforesaid, thence through Gerry, (now 
Phillipston,) Templeton, Gardner, Westminster and Fitchburg 
to Leominster, in the county of Worcester, is rocky and moun- 
tainous ; and the expense of straightening, making and repair- 
ing the same, through the said towns, so that the same may be 
conveniently traveled with horses and carriages, is much greater 
than reasonably ought to be required of said towns : 

Be it tJierefore enacted by the Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives in General Court assembled, etc. This turnpike had its 
commencement at Capt. Elisha Hunt's in Northfield, passed 
through Warwick, Orange, Athol, Phillipston, Templeton and 
Gardner to Westminster meetiuir-house, from thence to Jonas 



HIST OB Y OF GARDNER. 131 

Kendall's tavern in Leominster ; also from Calvin Munn's 
tavern in Greenfielcl, through Montague to Athol. The road 
was to be four rods wide, and the path to be traveled not less 
than eighteen feet wide, in any place. The corporation was 
authorized to erect five turnpike gates, convenient for collect- 
ing the toll. One of these gates was near David Mayo's tavern, 
in Warwick ; another near the tavern of Samuel Sweetser, in 
Athol ; another near the line between Gardner and West- 
minster ; another near the tavern of Jonas Kendall, in Leom- 
inster ; there was another at such convenient place between 
Greenfield and Athol as the corporation should determine. The 
following were the rates of toll : — 

For every coach, pha?ton, chariot, or other four-wheel car- 
riage drawn by two horses, ticenty-five cents, and if drawn by 
more than two horses, an additional sum of four cents for each 
horse ; for every cart or wagon, drawn by two oxen or horses, 
twelve and an half cents, and if drawn by more than two horses 
or oxen, an additional sum of three cents for each ox or horse ; 
for every curricle, sixteen cents ; for every chaise, chair or other 
carriage, drawn b}' one horse, twelve and an half cents ; for 
every man and horse, ^re cents ; for every sled or sleigh, drawn 
by two oxen or horses, nine cents, if drawn by more than two 
oxen or horses, an additional sum of tJiree cents for each ox or 
horse ; for each sled or sleigh, drawn by one horse, eight cents ; 
for all horses, mules, oxen or neat cattle, led or driven, besides 
those in teams or carriages, one cent each ; for all sheep or 
swine, at the rate of three cents for one dozen. 

If the corporation, or their toll-gatherers, or others in their 
employ, should unreasonably delay or hinder any traveler, at 
any of the gates, or should receive more toll than was estab- 
lished by the act of incorporation, the corporation should for- 
feit a sum not exceeding ten dollars nor less than two dollars, to 
be recovered before any justice of the peace of the county 
where the offence should be committed, by any person thus in- 
jured, delayed oi- defrauded. The corporation was liable for 
any damage which should arise from defective brido;es, or want 



132 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

of repairs, in said way. They were also indictal)le for not 
keeping the road in good repair. If any person shonld cut, 
break down, or otherwise destroy any turnpike gates, or dig up 
or cany away any earth, or in an}' manner damage the road, 
or should forcibly pass or attempt to pass the toll-gates, with- 
out having first paid the legal toll, he should pay a fine not 
exceeding^^?/ doUars nor less than ten dollars. If any person, 
with his team, cattle, or horse, should turn out of the road to 
pass by any of the turnpike gates, and again enter the road, 
with intent to evade the toll, he should pay three times as much 
as the legal toll would have been. Persons passiug to or from 
public worship, also persons passing on military duty, were 
exempt from toll. The corporation Avere oljliged to erect, and 
keep constantly exposed to view, at all places where toll was to 
be collected, a sign or board with rates of toll, of all the toll- 
able articles, fairly and legibl}' written thereon in large or 
capital characters. 

This turnpike ran straight from Templeton through South 
Gardner, to Westminster, irrespective of hills or swamps. 
There was a toll-gate near the house of Elijah Foster, in Gard- 
ner, which was subsequently removed to a position near the 
store of S. W. A. Stevens, in South Gardner. This turupike 
formed the most direct route from Brattleborough, Vt., to Bos- 
ton, and was the old stage road between these points. In the 
history of these turnpikes, we begin to trace those improve- 
ments, in public travel, which have since grown into rapid rail- 
road, and steamship conveyance. Let it not, however, be for- 
gotten, that turnpikes were matters of great public interest, in 
those days. There was, among the projectors of these roads, 
laying them in a direct course, from point to point, as they did, 
something of that determination to annihilate time and space, 
of which so much is heard at the present time. 

Then too, those stages, with their four and six horses, dash- 
ing along the highways, with their heavy freight of passengers 
and luggage, were objects fitted to awaken admiration in all the 
dwellers along the route. With what a sense of self-importance 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 133 

did the driver sound his horn and crack his whip, as he ap- 
proached the tavern where men and boys Avere the self-con- 
stituted committee of reception of the incoming stage. How 
they gazed upon the passengers and watched their movements, 
especially if they were from " down below." 

What jovial times those must have been at the taverns, when 
it was not thought immoral for everybody to assemble and talk 
over national affairs and drink the ever present draft of toddy, 
and crack the jokes that called forth the uproarious laughter. 
It is true, we are better acconnnodated, by the oft-coming and 
departing railroad trains, but these, creeping along through 
valleys and around upon hillsides and through dismal swamps, 
awaken no such admiration, as the old New England stage did, 
with its pompous driver and spirited six-in-hand, as they passed 
along the public highway or brought up, flecked with foam, at 
one of our old county taverns. But with all our improvements, 
in consequence of steam, it is a noticeable fact, that roads are 
coming to be more and more a matter of public attention, and 
more lavish expenditure. There is a more intelligent convic- 
tion in the public mind, that good roads have much to do with 
the economy of living, since it must always cost more to draw 
a load over a bad road, than over a good one. 

In England, at the period already referred to, in this chapter, 
Macaulay tells us that such was the execrable condition of the 
roads, that the expense of transmitting heavy goods, in wagons 
was enormous, costing about fifteen pence a ton, for every mile, 
or fifteen times more than is demanded by railroads. Such, 
indeed, was the expense of transportation, upon these high- 
ways that, coal for instance, was never seen in England, except 
in the districts where it was produced, or in districts where it 
could be carried by water. On by-roads, goods were carried 
on long trains of pack horses. But in this respect, England 
has very greatly improved since the time of which Macaulay 
writes, having now several thousand miles of the finest roads 
in the world, being made firm and hard by the gravel and 
broken stone with which thej' are ballasted. The same is true 



134 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

of the roads in Switzerland. Tiiese people have already learned, 
that Avhich we are coming aradually, better to understand, that 
the best and most substantially built road, at whatever cost, is 
cheaper and more satisfactory in the long run, than that of 
poorer construction. Says Hon. Charles G. Davis of Plym- 
outh, who has traveled extensively in England and on the Con- 
tinent, " Go to the poorest canton in Switzerland, much poorer 
than any district in Massachusetts, and you Avill find roads, 
made always with even grades, never Avith a pitch or hollow to 
suit the natural surface of the country, but always upon even 
pitches up and doAvn, sometimes bridging across dry vallej^s, 
the engineering and m.^sonry of the most excellent character. 
These roads are constantly watched, as a mother watches her 
child, as the trackmen upon our railroads, tend the track that 
the engines pass over, watched day by day, and swept week by 
week."* 

It is to be hoped that our roads will be yet made after models 
of this high character. 

♦Agricultural Report 1870-1871. 



ffljSTOBY OF GARDNER. 135 



CHAPTER VI. 

KAILROADS. 

" Carriages without horses shall go, 
And accidents fill the world with woe. 
Around the world thoughts shall fly- 
In the twinkling of an eye. 
Water shall yet more wonders do ; 
Now strange, yet shall be true. 
The world upside down shall be. 
And gold be found at root of tree. 
Through hills man shall ride, 
And no horse or ass be at his side. 
Under water men shall walk ; 
Shall ride, shall sleep, shall talk. 
In the air men shall be seen. 
In white, in black, in green. 
Iron in the water shall float. 
As easy as a wooden boat. 
Gold shall be found, and found 
In a land that's not now known. 
Fire and water shall wonders do, 
England shall at last admit a Jew." 

— Mother Shipton's Prophecy, A. D. 1488. 

EFORE entering upon a minute history of the raih'oacls 
passing through this town, it is thought not inappropriate, 
to present, in the opening of tliis chapter, a brief sketch of 
public communications, a hundred years ago, and even at a 
much Uiter day, that the reader may be able, to put events then, 
in contrast, with events now. The difficulties and perils of 
travel in the United States one hundred years ago, are graphi- 
cally sketched, by Mr. Edward Abbott, in a little work, entitled 



136 HISTORY OF GAlWNEli. 

" Revolutionary Times," from which, we take a portion of the 
information here presented. He refers us to a brief narrative, 
of the journey, which a young man, by the name of Elkanah 
Watson, of Rhode Ishuid, made, in 1777, from Providence to 
Charleston, South Carolina, on an errand of great pecuniary 
importance. The young man, then only nineteen years of age, 
started in September on horseback, and with a " hanger" at his 
side, and a pair of pistols at his holster, journeyed through 
eastern Connecticut to Hartford, "a wealthy and respectable 
place of almost three hundred houses," thence " to New Haven 
which he found to be somewhat larger." Crossing the Hudson 
at Peekskill, he came to Morristown, N. J., where he fell in 
with two other travelers going the same way, and here ex- 
changed his seat, on the saddle, for one in a " sulky." The 
British having just taken possession of Philadelphia, the party 
were obliged to mtdve, a considerable detour, by way of Read- 
ing, Lancaster :uid York, but were even then detained for a 
night, under arrest on suspicion of being British spies. They 
spent two days at Bethlehem, where was " a spacious tavern 
alfording them welcome comforts;" at Reading they found " a 
town of four hundred houses ;" and at Reamstown, young Wat- 
son had his tirst experience of sleeping in a German house, 
" between two feather beds." At Euphrates he heard the sound 
of Washington cannonading Germantown. Through Lancaster, 
he went to York, where Congress, driven out of Philadelphia, 
were in session, and where pussports, had to be obtained, for the 
continuation of the journey, which so far, had occupied just a 
month. Crossing Maryland, JNIr. Watson came to Fredericks- 
])urg, Virginia, which he found '' to be a place of a thousand 
inhabitants." Willianisl)uroj contained more than three hundred 
dwellings, " built chiefly of wood, on one street nearly a mile 
in length." Entering North Carolina, the first place of impor- 
tance was Edenton, with " thirty-five houses, and a brick court 
house." Thence, his route lay partly by land and partly by wa- 
ter, to Bath ; this region was uninhabited and desolate ; crossing 
the Neuse River by night, with considerable danger, he finally 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 137 

reached Newbern, the capital of the colony. The journey from 
Newbern to Wilmington, lay through an almost unbroken 
wilderness ; at one point he lost his way, at another encount- 
ered a large bear. Be3^ond Wilmington, the route lay along 
the beach, for sixteen miles ; he here met a party going north, 
who had with them tidings of Burgoyue's surrender. • On the 
18th of November, Mr. Watson entered Charleston, having 
been seventy days, in traveling one thousand two hundred and 
forty-three miles. Mr. Watson was the bearer of funds, not in 
checks and drafts of modern times, but in gold, securely quilted 
into the lining of his coat. 

From this narrative, it will be easy to see, what it was to 
travel an hundred years ago. It was a time, when forests gave 
protection to many wild beasts, and the highways were infested 
like Gads Hill, with highway robbers, who have since given 
their attention to wrecking, and plundering railroad trains, and 
bank safes. Then, when night came and found the traveler, 
far from any settlement or habitation, he Avas compelled to 
bivouac, in the forest with his horse for a companion and the 
sky alone above his head. Such was the condition of the 
country, one hundred years ago, that a traveler must provide 
himself, with permits to pass military lines, if he intended to 
go any distance from home. Then there were no canals ; 
the first one, from AValtham to Richmond, Virginia, not bein"- 
then completed. There was then one trunk road, from Boston, 
closely following the coast to the mouth of the Kennebec ; 
another into New Hampshire, and so into Canada ; another to 
Providence ; one to New York, connecting the towns of Sprino-- 
field, Hartford and New Haven, and joined at this latter jjlace, 
by one skirting the Sound, and going east, as far as the Narra- 
gansett Bay. From New York, there were two roads northward 
on each side the Hudson River, as far as Albany, one goino- on 
thence to Lake George, the other diverging to the Mohawk 
Valley. Southward a road crossed New Jersey to the Delaware 
River, then down to Philadelphia, and the region beyond. 
These were of course, all stage roads. Between New York and 
18 



138 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Philadelphia there run the fast stage, " The Flying Machine," 
making the journey in two clays ; from Philadelphia to Balti- 
more the stage took five days to go ; from Boston to Philadel- 
phia was a wonderful journey. There Avas a weekly stage from 
Boston to Portsmouth and another also to Newburyport. The 
following is an advertisement in the "Boston Gazette," May 
10th, 1773, which is a sign of the times. 

•EZRA LUNT 

Begs Leave to inform the Public, That he has lately pur- 
chased an Interest, in the Newbury -Port Stage, which has been 
lately fixed on a new Construction, in which he intends to im- 
prove four horses, which he will drive himself. Therefore he 
flatters himself that those Gentlemen and Ladies, that will 
oblige him with their Custom, will find more Ease and Pleasure, 
in their Passages to and from Boston, than they did heretofore. 
As said Lunt intends to observe Punctuality in his Business, 
therefore he l)egs that those Gentlemen and Ladies that intend 
to be his Customers, would take Notice, that he will wait on 
them, for their Commands at his House in Newbury-Port, oppo- 
site the Rev. Mr. Parsons' Meeting-house ; from whence he will 
set out, on Monday every Week, at 7 o'clock, and puts up at 
Mrs. Bean's, at the Sign of the Ship, in Kings Street, Boston, 
where all Baggage, Bundles, etc., will l)e received, and deliv- 
ered, as directed, and Passages engaged. All Favors will be 
gratefully acknowledged. 

After the Revolution, a semi-weekly stage, was established 
between New York and Boston, which made the trip in six days. 
Sometimes travelers would go by their own conveyance, occa- 
sionally advertising for a companion. Sometimes they would 
go by water. Mr. Josiah Quinc}', Jr., went from Boston to 
Charleston, S. C, in 1773, by water, a voyage which took 
him twenty days to make. There was communication every 
ten days, by packet, between Massachusetts and Maine. " The 
Publick's Humble Servant, William Holland, proprietor, adver- 
tising that the master of the packet, in order to prevent the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 139 

usual Trouble of Gentlemen and Ladies, procuring their Stores, 
will furnish good Liquors of all Sorts, and proper attendance at 
the common prices in Taverns." 

Occasionally there was a packet between Boston, and various 
parts of the South, and between Boston and the settlements on 
the St. Lawrence. There were regular packets between Bos- 
ton and New York, and English ports, six wrecks being the 
common length of the voyage across the Atlantic. At that 
time the transportation of troops for the war, was exceedingly 
laborious and difficult, entirely unlike wdiat our eyes have wit- 
nessed in recent years. 

The postal system was in a very imperfect condition. In 
certain parts of the country, there were no mails whatever, and 
to a large extent letters w^ere sent by private hands, making 
correspondence exceedingly uncertain and dilatory. During 
the lievolntionary War, it was entirely interrupted. The Lon- 
don papers of September 28th, 1776, contained this notice from 
the general post office : "A mail Avill be dispatched from hence 
on Wednesday next, for New York, and also one for Charles- 
town ; after which there will be no regular Conveyance for 
Letters from the Office to North America ; but Avhcnever a Packet 
may be dispatched to any part of that continent, proper notice 
will be given." 

As a further evidence of the infrequency of postal facilities, 
we give the foUowiuir : — 

GENERAL POST OFFICE. 

PJdladelphia, Feb. 14th, 1775. 

It having been found very inconvenient, to persons concerned 
in trade, that the mail from Philadelphia to New England sets 
out, but once in a fortnight, during the winter season, this is to 
give notice that the New England mail will go henceforth, once a 
week the year round ; when a correspondence may be carried 
on, and answers obtained to letters, between Philadelphia and 
Boston in three weeks, which used, in the winter, to require 
six weeks. 

By the command of the postmaster-general, 

William Franklin, Comptroller. 



140 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

The arrangements for the conveyance of the mails, as often 
practiced, will be shown by the following advertisement from 
the "Continental Journal" of December 25th, 1777. 

WILLIAM SHURTLIFF, POST RIDER. 

Letters directed to the army, now at the southward, lodged 
at the public houses or places, hereafter named, on Thursday, 
the 8th day of January, 1778, viz. at Col. Sprout's, Middle- 
borough ; Capt. Nathaniel Little's, Kingston ; Mr. Thomas 
Witherel's, Plymouth ; Mr. Jonathan Parker's, Plympton ; 
Messrs. Porter's & White's, Taunton ; Mr. Samuel Lane's, Nor- 
ton ; Gill's Printing Office and Lamb Tavern, Boston ; Mr. 
Partridge's, Roxbury ; Mr. Daniel Vose's and Mrs. Bent's, Mil- 
ton ; Mrs. May's, Stoughton ; Mr. Randell's, Stoughtonham ; 
Mr. Man's, Wrentham, and at his house in Mansfield, will be 
carefully conveyed, and a speedy return made, by the Publick's 
most humble Servant. 

William Shurtliff. 

P. S. It will be expected that the postages be left with the 
letters ; and am very sorry to acquaint my customers, and 
others, that I cannot afford to carry under three shillings per 
single letter; and if it be duly considered, that the season of 
the Year is bad, the journey long, and the expenses on the road 
so amazing great, I flatter myself I shall not be thought unrea- 
sonable. 

Gradually these great inconveniences of travel, and the trans- 
mission of intelligence, were in some degree overcome, within 
the first fifty years subsequent to the close of the Revolutionary 
War, by the straightening of roads and building of turn- 
pikes, together with the attendant increase of postal facilities, 
so that fifty years ago one could come from Boston to this place, 
in a little less than a day. It is difficult for us, Avith our man}' 
and rapid railroad trains, our frequent mails, and telegraphic 
conveniences, to appreciate the privations and discomforts of 
two generation ago ; and yet all these facilities of travel and 
communication are of recent date. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 141 

The first railroad in the United States, the Quincy, was built 
in 1826. Gridley Bryant, the inventor of the eight-wheeled 
car, the tnrn-tal)le and the switch, was according to good au- 
thority, the projector, builder and engineer, of this new rail- 
road, which was only four miles, in length, and made, for the pur- 
pose of transporting granite for the Bunker Plill Monument. It 
was not till the period embraced, between 1828 and 1833, that 
our great system of railroads may be said to have begun. In 
1830 there were but twenty-three miles of railroads in the United 
States. In 1845, there were four thousand, six hundred and 
thirty-three miles of railroads. 

This In-ings us to a consideration of the Vermont and Mas- 
sachusetts Railroad Company, in its relations to the growth and 
prosperity of this town. The original act of incorporation, 
bears date March 15th, 1844. According to section first, of 
this act, the road was located "through the north part of the 
town of Gardner, to Otter Eiver, thence down Otter River to 
the village of Baldwinsville, in the north part of Templeton." 
At this point, it may be well to consider the character of a 
struggle, which raged for two years, in this community and 
which involved in its decisions the destiny of this town. It was 
a war, in Avhich Greek met Greek, and bitter was the conflict, 
sometimes, and at this distant day, we would like to make our 
townsmen familiar with the facts, that they may know, from 
what they have been delivered, and to whose exertions they are 
indebted for the facilities of trade and travel they now enjoy. 

About 1842, Hon. iVlvah Crocker, the projector and first pres- 
ident, of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, one of Fitch- 
burg's honored citizens, and subsequently our representative in 
congress, came to this and other towns, upon the proposed route, 
Icctui'ing upon the feasibility of the road, and awakening an in- 
terest in the minds of the people. Stock was subscribed in this 
town and in Templeton, and the leading men of the day, saw the 
desirability of the road ; but when the subject came to the con- 
sideration of the legislature, in the winter of '43 and '44, it had 
a new and very different face from that which had been pre- 



142 HISTORY OF GARDINER. 

sentecl to the citizens of these towns at the outset. Evidently 
Garcluer, to the prophetic vision of some of the projectors, was 
seen to be a near and accessible point, from which to extend an 
arm to the Boston and Alban}^ Railroad at Worcester, and so 
divertin<>' trade and travel from the cast, and from the Fitch- 
burg Railroad ; hence to their minds, came the necessity of 
locating the route, to the north, and over the summit, making all 
converge toward Boston, by the way of Fitchburg solely ; so 
that iu the original bill, as it appeared before the house, Bald- 
winsville did not appear, but was inserted, through the agency of 
Col. Artemas Lee, Messrs. Boynton, Day and Davis of Temple- 
ton, and Mr. Levi Heywood of Gardner. Previous to the pas- 
sage of this act of incorporation, Mr. Crocker had proceeded to 
locate and build the eleventh section, which ran from Ashburn- 
ham toward Winchendon Village, not having been authorized 
by law, but trusting to the coming legislature, to legalize and 
sive permission for such a course ; in this he was disappointed 
by the action of the above-named gentlemen, who, by their 
timely exertions, had secured the insertion of the name of Bald- 
winsville, in the proposed route, before the bill had passed the 
house. Mr. Crocker petitioned to leave Baldwinsville out, and 
appealed to the county commissioners to change the direction 
of the road. To oppose this petition, Gardner called a town 
meeting, July 22d, 1845, and Messrs. Levi Heywood, Thomas 
E. Glazier and S. S. Howe, were chosen to meet the county 
commissioners, at Templeton, July 23d, 1845, and also were 
authorized to employ counsel to assist them in opposing the 
alteration of said charter. The Vermont and Massachusetts 
Railroad claimed, at this meeting, that it would be impracticable 
to construct the road, through the north part of this town, upon 
the chartered line, because there was, as they expressed it, " so 
much rock, the worst kind of rock, viz., trap rock.'' Mr. Ed- 
wards, the engineer of the road, was present and standing at 
the desk with the profile before him, Avas requested to point out 
the stations where such rock would be found. Now this gen- 
tleman had no personal knowledge of this section, his subor- 



HISTORY OF GARDINER. 143 

clinate, Johnson, huving made the survey, but trusting to his 
judgment, he immediately complied with the request, and des- 
ignated the stations where this formation would be found. Mr. 
Hey wood then secured, through Judge Allen, his counsel, an 
adjournment of the case, for one week ; meanwhile parties w-ent 
upon the line, and were enabled to sink shafts to grade line, 
but found no rock as indicated by Mr. Edwards. This foct be- 
ing presented at the adjourned meeting of the commissioners, 
virtually killed the case, and they refused to grant the prayer 
of petitioners. 

The Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, thwarted in this 
attempt to secure a change in its route, brought its case before 
the legislature, petitioning for the proposed alteration in its 
chartered line. The chief reasons alleged, by Mr. Crocker and 
others, were peculiar, and the subterfuges resorted to, were 
certainly very curious, as will be seen, in the light of subse- 
quent events. It was claimed by the petitioners that the dam, 
at the reservoir in Ashburnham, was too high to admit of the 
construction of the road by the side of it. But it was ascer- 
tained, that this dam had been raised two feet, with this object, 
of defeating the chartered line, in view. 

Again it w^as claimed that the grade of the Fitchburg road 
was too low to admit of a connection of the line through Gard- 
ner with it. But the fact, was afterwards disclosed, that the 
petitioners had lowered the grade of the Fitchburg road through 
Ashburnham, fifteen feet, so that the chartered line should not 
be able to connect. To meet this newly made objection, the 
friends of the proposed route, through the north part of this 
town, lowered the grade of this road fifteen feet from its original 
plan. 

These devices, however, did not avail, and new measures 
were resorted to, to secure the object of the petitioners. When 
all hope of defeating the road as originally chartered, was lost, 
other and more indirect means were used to secure the location 
of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad through Winchen- 
don. On the 28th day of February, 1845, the Vermont and 



144 HI8T0RY OF GARDINER. 

Massachusetts Railroad secured the passage of a bill extending 
the time for building their road to three years, provided any 
section of it between Fitchburg and Athol should be con- 
structed within that time. Within thirteen days, after the pas- 
sage of this bill, viz., on the 13th day of March, following, an 
act passed the legislature chartering the Winchendon Railroad. 
This road was to begin at the " southern boundary of the state 
of New Hampshire, in the town of Fitzwilliam or the town of 
Rindge, and passing thence to some convenient point at or near 
Winchendon Village, or Waterville Village, in said town of Win- 
chendon, or in either of the towns of Royalston, or Templeton, 
or Gardner, upon the railroad, which may be constructed by the 
Vermont and JMassachusetts Railroad." We find in the charter 
of the Winchendon Railroad this proviso, in which appears the 
influence of Mr. Crocker, with his face steadfastly set like a flint 
toward Winchendon, viz.: "That if said Vermont and Mas- 
sachusetts Railroad shall not, within two years from April 1st 
next, locate and construct their railroad through Winchendon 
Village, to their chartered line in Royalston, then said Win- 
chendon corporation are hereby authorized and empowered, to 
locate, construct and extend their road through said Winchen- 
don to some convenient point upon the said Vermont and Mas- 
sachusetts Railroad, in the town of Ashburnham." 

After long and excited discussions before the committee, the 
leading and prevailing question of equity was presented by Mr. 
Hey wood and others, viz. : " That stock had been largely sub- 
scribed in Gardner, while in Winchendon not one dollar had 
been subscribed." The petitioners, not feeling quite at ease 
with this question of equity before the committee, desired to 
separate Gardner from Templeton. After the hearing had been 
closed before the committee, and before they had made their 
report, the question was asked, if Gardner would not be satis- 
fied with a branch, allowing the main line to go through Win- 
chendon, which question w\as pertinently answered by their 
own assertion, " that there was no practicable line to Gardner," 
to which the reply came, " not one for a main line, but one for 



HISTOEY OF GARDNER. 145 

a branch." Then came the proposition to our ap^ent to accom- 
pany the engineer, Mr. Edwards, over some line that he, Mr. 
Heywood, miglit select from Ashburnham tTunction to Gardner. 
Starting from the Junction fliey followed a route, now used as 
the road bed between this town and the Junction, until they 
connected it with a line that had already been surveyed by Mr. 
Hiijginson for a road runnino" from Fitchburir through West- 
minster to Gardner. Mr. Edwards, having surveyed this route, 
brought his chart to ]Mr. Heywood at Boston and requested him 
to take that before the committee and say that Gardner would 
be satisfied with a branch as indicated on the chart. "But it 
would be exparte," Mr. Heywood replied, " as the case has 
been virtually closed." 

The survey which Mv. Edwards had made was taken and 
united to the one which Mr. Higginson had made, and Col. 
Day of Templeton, being acquainted with one member of the 
committee of the house, laid the case with the charts before him, 
and convinced him that there did exist a good route from Fitch- 
burg through Gardner, by their own actual survey. 

As the result of all this conflict the legislature relocated the 
line from Ashburnham to Baldwinsville, April IGth, 1846, in 
the following words : " Said company, in locating and con- 
structing that portion of their railroad, which shall be between 
the point of junction aforesaid, and South Royalston, are hereby 
empowered to adopt a route, diverging from their present 
chartered line, in manner following, viz. : Commencing at some 
convenient point in Westminster, westward of Whitman's Vil- 
lage, or in Gardner, or in Ashburnham, and thence through the 
town of Gardner, to the valley of Otter River ; and thence by 
such a line as shall be found most feasible, through Templeton 
to a point in their chartered line between Gibson's mill and the 
village of South Royalston." 

Thus the struggle, lasting for more than two years, ended at 
last, through the adroitness, skill and persistent determination, 
and unfaltering efforts of these agents, in a victory for this town ; 
a victory without which, Gardner must have been to-da}-, but 

19 



146 HISTORY OF GAlWNEll. 

little in adviuicc of what it was, thirty years ago. Such an 
nnwearied pursuit, of a good object, is worthy of the lasting 
gratitude, of all who are profited by the great advantages 
thereby secured to the town, and illustrates the truth of the 
Virgilian saying, " Possunt quia jiosse videntur ;''' they are able 
because they seem to be able. 

Yet the determination to carry the Vermont and Massachu- 
setts Railroad north of this town, did not even then, become 
extinct in the minds of those who petitioned for an alteration 
in the original charter. Hence, instead of coming to Gardner, 
as the road now does, on a curve at Ashburnham Junction, 
there was constructed, that bewildering anomaly, in railroad 
traveling, to the confusion of all passengers, the turning of the 
engine and the seats of the cars, in order to run upon the new 
line. This was a declaration daily made, for thirty years, that 
the road to this [dace should yet be only a branch, of the main 
line. But if the road has been of great advantage to Gardner, 
it may with equal truth be said, that Gardner has been of great 
yearly advantage to it. During the year ending January 1st, 
1878, the amount of income derived from the sale of tickets at 
the office in Gardner was, $10,521. Adding to this sum an 
equal amount sold at other stations to those returning hither, 
we have the sum of $21,042. For freight 23,817.85 ; making 
total income to the road from Gardner, for the year 1877, $44,- 
859.85, exclusive of the freight shipped from this to other places, 
and of express business done upon the road. There are ten regu- 
lar passenger trains leaving the depot of the Fitchburg Railroad 
daily, five each way. There are also ten freight trains daily, 
consisting of a hundred cars each way. 

The Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad next claims our at- 
tention. The original charter for this railroad, was granted, by 
the legislature, April 26th, 1847. The company were "em- 
powered to locate, construct, and maintain a railroad with one, 
or more tracks, from some convenient point, on the Nashua and 
Worcester Railroad, in the town of Worcester, through the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 147 

towns of Holden, Rutland, Princeton, Hubl)ai'd.ston, and Oak- 
ham, to some convenient point, near the centre of Bane ; and 
also from some convenient point, on said route, in the town of 
Princeton, through the town of Hubbardston, to some conven- 
ient point, on the Vermont and ^Massachusetts Railroad in the 
town of Gardner." 

By an act of the legislature, extending the time, for the con- 
struction of this road, passed March 24th, 1849, permission was 
granted, to change the name from that of "The Barre and 
Worcester Railroad Corporation," to " The Boston, Barre and 
Gardner Railroad Corporation." An additional act was passed, 
April 24th, 1851, extending the time for building the road, and 
at the same time, releasing the corporation " from all obliga- 
tion to construct that part of their said railroad as described in 
their charter, from a point at the junction of the two branches 
of said railroad, in the town of Princeton, through the towns 
of Rutland, Hubbardston, and Oakham, to some convenient 
point near the centre of Barre ; and they may construct, or 
omit to construct any part thereof, as they may elect ; and they 
may also construct, and maintain, the other, parts of the said 
railroad, from some convenient point, on the Worcester and 
Nashua Railroad, in the city of Worcester, through the towns 
of Holden, Rutland, Princeton and Hubbardston, to some con- 
venient point on the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, in 
the town of Gardner." 

Permission was also jriven, in this act, grantins: a relocation 
of the road, to open a new subscription for the capital stock of 
this corporation, releasing also, from all assessments, all per- 
sons holding stock before subscribed, and from all expenses 
afterwards incurred by said corporation." On March 12th, 1853, 
another act passed the legislature, extending the time for con- 
structing this road, to July 1st, 1856, and authorizing the com- 
pany, to build their road by sections. The first section was to 
begin, in Worcester, at some convenient point on the Worces- 
ter and Nashua Railroad, and extend through the toAvns of 
West Boylston and Holden, to some convenient point in the 



148 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

town of Princeton. The second section, was to extend from 
the northerly end of the first section, in Princeton, through 
Hubbardston to Gardner. Tiie third section, was to extend 
from some convenient point on the first section, through the 
towns of Rutland, Hubbardston and Oakham, to some conven- 
ient point in Barre. The last act of the legislature renewing 
the charter, was passed February 21st, 1868, extending the 
time of construction to the 1st day of July, 1871. 

An act approved July 8th, 1869, authorized the city of 
Worcester to subscribe to the capital stock of the Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Railroad Company, one per centum of its 
valuation for 1868. The towns of Holden, Princeton, Rutland, 
Barre, Hubbardston and Gardner, were also, by the same act, 
authorized " to subscribe, to the said capital stock, an amount 
not exceeding in all, five per centum of their valuation, as given 
by their assessors for 1868, and to pay for the same, out of the 
treasury of the town that shall so subscribe, and to hold the 
same, as town property ; and said stock, when so subscribed 
and paid for, shall be subject to the disposal of the said city, 
and each of the said towns, that shall become subscribers, to 
the said stock, under this act, for public purposes, in the same 
manner, as any other property it may possess ; provided, that 
if the citizens aforesaid, shall become subscribers to the stock 
of any other railroad company, under authority, that has been 
heretofore conferred upon them, or may hereafter be conferred 
upon them, b}^ any act of the legislature, the whole amount of 
their subscriptions to all railroad companies, shall not exceed 
five per centum, of the aforesaid valuation." 

The total amount subscribed must be determined, at city or 
town meetings legally warned and called. This mone}^ the city 
of Worcester, and the towns above named were empowered to 
raise, by the issuing of bonds, or by loan or tax. They were 
authorized " to appoint a committee, to subscribe, in behalf of 
the city or town for such number of such shares, in the capital 
stock of this corporation, as should be voted by city or toAvn ; and 
this committee were authorized, to cast the vote of said city or 



HISTORY OF GARDINER. 149 

towns, ill the choice of directors of said raih'oad, at the first 
meeting of the stockholders thereof, after said city or town 
should subscribe, called for that purpose : and thereafter the 
vote of said city or towns, in the choice of directors of said 
railroad, shall be cast, by the person or persons, whom said city 
or towns may appoint." 

The final act of relocation of this road, was approved March 
11th, 1870. It pertained to the relocation of the first, second, 
and third sections. This act permitted the corporation to 
extend its line, " from some convenient point in the city of 
Worcester, thence through Holden, and through, or near the 
centre village thereof; and thence through Princeton and Hub- 
bardston, and the southerly part of Gardner, to some conven- 
ient point, on the road of the Vermont and Massachusetts 
Raili'oad Company in said Gardner." The corporation was also 
authorized, to locate the third section of its road, so that it 
might extend from some convenient point, in the first or second 
section of its road, to some convenient point in the town of 
Barre. With the final location of this road, and the act of the 
legislature authorizing the cit}^ of Worcester, and the towuis 
along the line to subscribe to the capital stock, there began to be 
manifested an increased interest, in its immediate construction. 

In Gardner, a town meeting was called August 18th, 1869, 
to consider the subject of subscribing to the stock, of the Bos- 
ton, Barre and Gardner Eailroad. This meeting was largely 
attended, and much interest manifested, in the project. Upon 
motion of Mr. Levi HeyAvood, it was "Voted, That the town 
subscribe for stock in the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad 
Corporation, to the amount of three per centum of the valuation 
of the town in 1868." This subscription amounted to $38,500, 
and was increased to $100,000 by private subscription. 

INIuch public interest was evinced in the speedy accomplish- 
ment of this enterprise, which had lain dormant for twenty-two 
years. The towns along the line of this new road, were quite 
enthusiastic, in their determination to build it. Hubbardston 
went to the utmost limit granted by the legislature, and sub- 



150 HISTOBY OF GARDNER. 

scribed five per cent, of its valuation for 1868, making the 
amount of its. subscription $37,600, which was subsequently 
increased to |50,000 ; Princeton subscribed $6,000 and Holden 
$30,000, Avhich was largely increased by private subscription ; 
while the city of Worcester, by a large majority, subscribed 
one per cent, of its valuation for 1868, amounting to about 
$280,000. 

At a meeting of the directors, held at Worcester, September 
15th, 1869, a vote was passed to put that portion of the road 
between Worcester and Gardner under contract immediately. 
This contract was made with Messrs. Cook &. Co. of Canada, 
in November, 1869. The company organized at Worcester 
September 28th, 1869, with the following officers : President, 
Col. Ivers Phillips, Worcester; Secretary and Treasurer, Wil- 
liam E. Starr, Worcester ; Directors, Ivers Phillips, Stephen 
Salisl)ury, W. W. Rice, Calvin Foster, D. Waldo Lincoln, 
Horatio N. Tower, Lewis Ballard of Worcester, Joab S. Holt, 
David Parmenter of Holden, John Brooks of Princeton, Henry 
Prentiss of Hubbardston and Levi Heywood of Gardner. From 
the time of the contract, the construction of the road, was 
rapidly and faithfully pursued, till the 26th day of April, 
1871, when Col. Phillips drove the first spike, in Gardner, 
promi'sing at the same time to have the rails laid to Worcester 
by the 4th of July following. True to his word, the road was 
so far advanced towards completion, that upon the 4th of July, 
1871, an excursion train passed over it, from Worcester to this 
town, although it was not formally opened, to the public till 
later. Such is the history of the Boston, Barre and Gardner 
Railroad. 

At this point we must go back a little, and take up the con- 
temporaneous history relating to the extension of this road to 
Winchendon, as it now exists. It will be remembered that 
the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad, was chartered in 
1847, but no action was taken, looking to Its construction till 
twenty-two years after. During these years, especially the 
latter part of them, the chair manufacturers of this town, w^ere 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 151 

gi-eatly enlarging their business, and making constantly in- 
creasnig demands for lumber, for its successful prosecution. 
Much of this lumber came from Vermont and New Hamp- 
shire. But such were the railroad inconveniences, that they 
were obliged to have their stock, or lumber, come over the 
Cheshire Railroad, and be drawn by teams from Ashburnhara 
Junction, or be brought, upon the Vermont and Massachusetts, 
from the Junction to Gardner, at great cost, the two railroads 
charging high tariffs. Tliis inconvenience affected not only the 
chair manufacturers, but our grain merchants, and other lousi- 
ness men, as well. Hence there began to be a conviction in 
the minds of our citizens, that there ought to be a railroad, 
from Gardner to Winchendon, to connect with the Cheshire 
and Monadnock. If this road could be built, it would open up 
direct and less costly communication, Avith the lumber regions of 
Vermont and New Hampshire, and be a matter of great con- 
venience and profit to Gardner. Prompted b}^ these motives, 
a petition was presented, l)y our representative, in the General 
Court, for 1869, Mr. Calvin S. Greenwood, signed by Mr. 
Charles Hey wood and others, for a road from here to Winchen- 
don, to be called the Gardner and Winchendon Railroad. This 
petition was presented February 4th, 1869, and was referred to 
the Committee on Railroads. February 24th there was a peti- 
tion presented by B. D. Whitney and others, in aid of the peti- 
tion of Charles Hey wood and others. This also was referred 
to the above committee. In the senate, May 2nth, 1869, there 
was a report upon the petition of Charles Heywood and others, 
which was considered, and on motion of Mr. Buttrick, a bill to 
incorporate the Gardner and Winchendon Railroad Company, 
was substituted therefor ; whereupon, the whole subject was 
referred to the next General Court. Thus the Gardner and 
Winchendon enterprise was, for this year prevented, Avhich, to 
one looking at events, in an honest and unselfish light, seems 
strange, inasmuch as the enterprising citizens of Gardner and 
Winchendon proposed to build the road with money from their 
own pockets and did not propose to ask the state for a dollar, 
in aid of their much desired project. 



152 III8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

This agitation, coucerning a road from here to Winehendon, 
in the legislature of 18G9, was not, however, without its favor- 
able results, as will now be seen. The petition of Mr. Charles 
Hey wood and others, had the beneficial effect to arouse a new 
interest in the minds of enterprising men, in Worcester, in the 
desirability of building the long chartered line from Worcester 
to Gardner, and of extending the same, to Winehendon, thus 
obviating any necessity for the incorporation of the Gardner 
and Winehendon Railroad, as prayed for by the petitioners. In 
the legislature of 1870, in which Mr. John M. Moore was rep- 
resentative of the district of which Gardner forms a part, 
according to the journal of the house, for January 18th, 1870, 
" a bill to incorporate the Gai-dner and Winehendon Railway 
Company, referred by the senate, in 1869, to this General Court, 
came down, having been taken from the files of the Senate, 
and referred to the Committee on Railways, and the house con- 
curred in the reference." 

"January 14th, 1870, a petition of the Boston, Barre and 
Gardner Railroad Company, for a change of location and exten- 
sion of road, was referred, in concurrence, to the Committee 
on Railways. January 17th, 1870, Mr. Moore of Gardner, 
presented the petition of Mr. Thomas E. Glazier and others, of 
Gardner, that the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad may be 
extended to Winehendon. February 28th, 1870, Mr. Earle of 
Worcester, from a Committee on Railways, to whom was re- 
ferred the petition of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad 
Company, reported on the part of said petition, a bill author- 
izing the company to relocate its road. This was read and 
ordered to a second reading, March 1st, 1870." 

"The bill was ordered to a third reading March 2d, 1870. 
Mr. Marble of Worcester, moved a reconsideration of the vote 
by which the report, on the petition of the Boston, Barre and 
Gardner Railroad Company w^•ls accepted, and the motion was 
placed on the orders of the day following. March 3d, 1870, 
motion was withdrawn. March 10th, 1870, bill was engrossed. 
March 1st, 1870, Mr. Parker of Lancaster, from Committee on 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 153 

Railways, to Avhom was referred the petition, of the Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Raih'oad Company, for extension of its 
road, reported reference to the next General Court. March 2d, 
1870, Mr. Marble of Worcester, moved a reconsideration of 
the above, and the motion Avas placed on the orders of the day 
following. March 3d, 1870, a motion was made to reconsider 
the vote, by which the report, on the petition of the Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Railroad Company, was yesterday accepted, 
was agreed to, and Mr. Earle of Worcester moved to amend 
the report, by substituting a bill, to authorize the said road to 
extend to Winchendon, and for other purposes, pending, the 
consideration of which, the subject was postponed till the next 
clay." 

March 4th, 1870, a report, on the petition of the Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Railroad Company, was accepted, Mr. Earle 
withdrawing his motion to amend the same. This action of 
Mr. Earle was taken because of an agreement entered into be- 
tween the friends of the extension and their opponents, that, if 
referred to the next legislature, they would not oppose it. The 
managers of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad, were 
induced to make this agreement, in order to insure the passage 
of the bill then pending, for the relocation of their road, which 
was of vital importance to them at that time, and which would 
have been seriously endangered, had they pressed the extension. 
In 1871, the matter came again before the legislature, Mr. Levi 
Heywood being the representative, for that year, in the General 
Court. 

In all fairness of agreement, between the parties interested 
for and against the extension, it was hoped and expected that 
no more opposition would be made to the extension to Win- 
chendon. But, in this hope, the friends of the road were des- 
tined to disappointment. Petitions, were presented to this 
legislature from the city council of Worcester, Charles Hey- 
wood and five hundred and seven other citizens of Gardner, 
Nelson D. White and others, William B. Goodnow and others, 
Ethan Davis and others, Monadnock Railroad Company, N. P. 
20 



154 HISTORY OF GABTfNER. 

Parkhui'st and others, in favor of the extension to Winchendon, 
while Mr. George C. Winchester and others of Ashburnham, 
presented petitions against the extension. 

From this time onward, through the whole session, the oppo- 
sition, to the petitioners for an extension, was exceedingly 
intense. Contrary to an agreement made at the last session, 
the old opponents were again in the field, or rather the lobby, 
ready to do all, within their power, to have the petition denied. 
Supreme selfishness was the inspiring force, in all their conduct. 
The Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad Company was there, 
with its agents, though they had, as they claimed, been sum- 
moned. The Nashua and Worcester, the Boston, Clinton and 
Fitchburg and the Providence and Worcester railroad com- 
panies, were all represented in force, to defeat the enterprise, 
and in addition to these, Mr. Geo. C. Winchester of Ashburn- 
ham, was also no indifferent spectator, if not an abettor, of the 
opposition. But, in the face of all this opposition, Senator 
Bird reported a bill in favor of the extension, while some of 
the members, as Towne of Fitchburg, dissented. 

Meanwhile, the friends of the proposed extension, at home, 
were not dormant. Convinced that they had a righteous cause, 
and one that must and ought to prevail, the citizens of the city 
of Worcester and of all the towns along the line, to Win- 
chendon, assembled " for the purpose of considering the pro- 
posed extension of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad 
Company, to Winchendon, and the dark and disgraceful means, 
which have been used by the opponents of the project, in and 
out of the legislature, for its defeat." In Gardner, an enthusi- 
astic meeting was held, April 29th, 1871, at which, Mr. Thom- 
as E. Glazier presided, who reviewed the history of the Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Railroad, and the efforts made to secure a 
charter to Winchendon, at the same time, referring to the faith- 
lessness of the opponents, who agreed not again to resist the 
petitioners. Mr. Charles Hey wood also spoke of the nature of 
the opposition and the foolishness of those who desired the 
Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad to form a connection, east 



HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 155 

of the village, and so go to Wincheudoii by way of Ashburn- 
ham, for the benefit of the opponents of the extension. After 
a thorough discussion of the motives actuating the opposition, 
a committee, on resolutions, consisting of Messrs. Charles Hey- 
wood, E. J. Sawyer and John M. Moore was chosen, who re- 
ported the following resolutions : — 

Whereas, An attempt of the most unscrupulous character, is 
being made, to defeat the proposed extension of the Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Railroad, from Gardner to Winchendon, 
and, whereas such extension is of vital importance to our com- 
munity, therefore ; 

Resolved, That as a matter of justice to towns and individ- 
uals, who have taken the stock of the Boston, Barre and Gard- 
ner Railroad, it should be extended to Winchendon, in order 
that they may have a direct communication with the north, by 
their own line, rather than by a circuitous route over two hostile 
and competing railroads. 

Resolved, That we most earnestly protest against the pro- 
posed diversion of the road from its present location in this 
town, towards Ashburnham, thereby depriving us, in a great 
measure, of the advantages to which we are entitled, and in- 
flicting incalculable injury upon our business community, as an 
act of gross injustice to us, who, as a town and as individuals, 
have invested so largely of our means, in the road, while it 
would only benefit a few, who have never given either pecuniary 
or moral support to the enterprise. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to our 
senator and representative in the state legislature, and that they 
be requested to use every honorable means to accomplish the 
prayer of the petitioners. 

Upon the same day meetings were held in Hubbardston and 
Winchendon, at which, resolutions of similar import were 
passed. Two of the resolutions passed by the people of Hub- 
bardston, were to this efiect : — 

Resolved, That inasmuch as the stockholders and the towns 
along the line propose to construct the extension, with their 



156 HI8T0BY OF GARDNER. 

own funds, with Avhich neither individuals nor towns, aside from 
the line of the road, have any equitable or moral right to inter- 
fere, and in the present opposition to the project, in the state 
legislature, we recognize only the unwarranted and unjustitiable 
interference of parties, who have no interest in its success, by 
any financial or local connections with it, and in the peculiar 
and unusual tactics adopted, by the opposition, we recognize 
only the factious, unscrupulous and reprehensible efforts of men, 
who will lose nothing by the extension, and only fear that 
others may be prospered more than they are themselves. 

Resolved, That we denounce these efforts as unjust and inde- 
iensible, and we appeal to the legislature to grant us the privi- 
lege of building our own route, with our own means, and at our 
own risk, without the selfish and outrageous interference of 
those who seek only to embarrass and injure the prospects 
and prosperity of the road. 

These resolutions, when presented to the legislature, were 
declared, by the opponents of the extension, to be " disrespect- 
ful," while they continued, unremittingly, their efforts to defeat 
the project, till success crowned their unworthy endeavors. 
The senate of 1871, decided l:)y a vote of twenty to fifteen, 
against granting the prayer of the petitioners. This action of 
the legislature seems exceedingly strange and unfair, in view of 
the fact that no money Avas sought from the state to aid in build- 
ing the road, and that the convenience to this community, from 
the extension, would be so great. But the citizens of these 
towns, were not discouraged. Such was the justice of their 
cause, that they felt confident, that the next legislature would 
grant their prayer. In this confidence they were not disap- 
pointed. The bill for the extension to Winchendon passed the 
senate, February 14th, and the house February 17th, 1872, and 
was subsequently approved by the governor, thus securing to 
Gardner the railroad connection with the north, it had labored 
so long and so persistently to obtain. However, the location of 
the road wtis not immediately determined. By some, it was 
suggested, that the route to Winchendon be upon the Vermont 



HIST OR Y OF GARDNER. 1 5 7 

and Massachusetts Railroad to Baldwinsville ; thence over the 
Ware River Railroad. 

Pending the location of this road to Winchendon, a special 
town meeting was called June 3d, 1872, to see if the town 
would take more stock in the Boston, Barre and Gardner Rail- 
road Company. After a short discussion, it was " Voted, That 
Levi Hey wood, Sylvester K. Pierce and Henry C. Hill, be a 
committee to subscribe in behalf of the town, for two hundred 
and fifty shares of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad 
Company, whenever in the opinion of said committee, or a 
majority of them, sufhcient stock shall be subscribed, to insure 
the building of the extension of said company's road, from 
Gardner to Winchendon, and the treasurer of the town is hereby 
authorized to borrow such sums of money as may be needed to 
pay for such stock." 

In due time, the contract for building the extension from 
Garcbier to Winchendon, was given to i\Ir. B. N. Farren, of 
Greenfield, who began work upon it in December, 1872. The 
last rail connecting the road with the Cheshire, was laid at 
Winchendon Thanksgiving day, Nov. 27, 1873, the same day 
on which the final blast, opening the Hoosac Tunnel, was ex- 
ploded. In the afternoon of the same day a train, conveying 
the Mayor of Worcester, Superintendent Ross and many prom- 
inent citizens, passed over the road to Winchendon, where a 
Thanksgiving dinner was eaten at the American house, with 
hearty rejoicings and congratulations, that an enterprise of such 
importance, to the growth and general welfare, of this section 
of country, had at length, with great toil, and in the face of 
most unfiir and unscrupulous oppositicm, been successfully 
consummated. 

Regular trains began running from Worcester to Winchen- 
don, and Peterboro', New Hampshire, Feb. 2, 1874. Since the 
time of construction of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad, 
its business has been such as not. to disappoint those most in- 
terested in its prosperity. It is certainly a great and much 
needed auxiliary, to the railroad facilities, of the whole region, 



158 HISTORY OF GAEDNFR. 

and when the line is extended, as it soon will be to Concord, 
New Hampshire, it will aflbrd a most direct route from the 
capital of New Hampshire to New York. 

We have been thus minute and circumstantial, in our recital 
of the history of the two railroads passing through this town, 
that those interested, in studying the causes of our municipal 
growth, now and hereafter, may be furnished, with a clear idea 
of their cost, in time, money, labor, inextinguishable patience, 
and uncompromising determination, on the part of our most 
enterprising business men, and citizens, among whom, without 
justly exposing ourselves to the charge of invidiousness, we 
may place, as most prominent, the name of Mr. Levi Hey wood, 
as in an eminent sense, the father of our present railroad 
facilities. 

With no such natural advantages as most other towns enjoy, 
but on the contrary, with man}' natural disadvantages, Gardner 
has, through its railroad accommodations, come into possession 
of great and substantial elements of future growth and pros- 
perity, which under judicious management, must inevitably, 
tend to make the town one of the largest and most important 
in the commonwealth. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 159 



CHAPTER VII. 

INDUSTRIES. 

"Productive industry is the only capital which enriches a people, aud 
spreads national prosperity and well-being." — Samuel Laing. 

" God provides the good things of the world, to serve the needs of nature, 
by the labors of the plowman, and the skill aud pains of the artisan, and the 
dangers aud traffic of the mei'chant." — Jeremy Taylor. 

" Self-reliance aud self-denial, Avill teach a man to driuk out of his own 
cistern, and eat his own sweet bread, and to learn aud labor trulj'^ to get his 
own living aud carefully to save, aud expend the good things committed to 
his trust." — Lord Bacon. 

" Cai'e preserves what industry gains. He who attends to his business 
diligently, but not carefully, throws away with one hand, what he gathers 
with the other." — Golton. 

"The roughest road, often leads to the smoothest fortune." — Franklin. 

"The parent, who does not teach his child a trade, teaches him to be a 
thief." — Brahminical Scriptures. 

" Seest thou a man diligent, in his business? he shall stand before kings; 
he shall not stand before mean men." — Prov. 22 : 29. 

IT is a fact clearly apprehended, by the student of political 
economy, that the great distinctions, existing among men, 
in regard to wealth and poverty, competence and want, are 
due, not so much, to a disparity in mental endowments, as to 
the determination, persistency, and unflinching courage, with 
which, they apply themselves, to some wisely selected vocation 
in life. Experience teaches, that the really industrious man, 
the man who is daily employed, in some honest labor of muscle 
or brain, is the one wdio achieves permanent success, in life, 
while the man who is unsteady of habit, to-day doing one thing 
and to-morrow another, never really setting himself to any 
particular task, with an invincible determination to adhere to it 



160 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

till he has made it a success, will come, at length, to verify the 
proverb, " a rolling stone gathers no moss." 

The lives of too many persons, illustrate the distinction in 
meaning, between avocation and vocation ; they have too many 
of the former, while they are destitute of the latter. It is also 
an obvious truth, that habits of industry, or the want of them, 
have a very powerful influence, in shaping the character, of an 
individual, or a community. An idle man, if he has the ability 
to labor, and will not use it, is a pest in society. 

Robert Burton, in his wonderful work, "Anatomy of Mel- 
ancholy," says that " idleness is the bane of body and mind, the 
nurse of naughtiness, stepmother of discipline, the chief au- 
thor of all mischief, one of the seven deadly sins, a sole cause 
of this, i. e., melancholy, and many other maladies, the devil's 
cushion and chief reposal. As ferns grow in untilled grounds, 
and all manner of weeds, so do gross humors in an idle body. 
A horse in a stable that never travels, a hawk in a mew that 
seldom flies, are both subject to diseases. An idle dog will be 
mangy, and how shall an idle person expect to escape? Idle- 
ness of mind is worse than idleness of body. Wit without 
employment, is a disease, the rust of the soul. When you shall 
hear, and see so many discontented persons, in all places where 
3^ou come, so many several grievances, unnecessary complaints, 
fear, suspicions, the best way to redress it is, to set them 
awork, so to busy their minds ; for the truth is, they are idle. 
Well may they build castles in the air, for a time, and soothe 
up themselves with fantastical and pleasant humors, but in the 
end, they will prove as bitter as gall, they shall be still, I say 
discontented, suspicious, fearful, jealous, sad, fretting and vex- 
ing of themselves ; so long as they be idle, it is impossible to 
please them. An idle person knows not, when he is well what 
he would have, or whither he would go. He is tired out with 
everything, displeased with all, weary of his life."* 

But we need not be told, by such high authority, that laziness 
and idleness, have a detrimental influence, upon the lazy and 

♦Burton's Anatomy, vol. 1, p. 321-325. 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^ER. 161 

idle themselves ; our own observation confirms us, in tlie opin- 
ion, that not only does the idle man suffer, but he has a corrupt- 
ing influence upon others, by putting a slight upon hard, indus- 
trious, honest labor, in which it is all men's duty to engage. 
Hence the wisdom of the world has concentrated itself, into 
those proverbs which have been spoken in favor of industry. 

No paius, no gains. 
No sweat, no sweet. 
No mill, no meal. 

Says the Scotch proverb, 

" He that wad eat the kernel, maun crack the nut." 

" He that gapes till he be fed, will gape till he be dead." 

" An idle brain's the devil's smiddy." 

The Latin proverb is, "By doing nothing, we learn to do mis- 
chief." " Idle dogs worry the sheep." Say the Chinese, " The 
dog in the kennel barks at his fleas ; the dog that hunts does 
not feel them." 

Work has been called, by one of our living writers, "a 
man's life preserver," a truth which no one observant of its bene- 
ficial effects will care to dispute. Sidney Smith embodies, re- 
ligion, philosophy, and good common sense in the following 
sentence : " Let every man be occupied, in the highest employ- 
ment of which his nature is capable, and die with the con- 
sciousness that he has done his best." It is also true, that 
habits of industry, in the founders of a town or community, 
have very much to do in producing industrious habits, in those 
who succeed them. Men of industry, integrity, of high prin- 
ciple, of real honesty of purpose, who toil hard for a series of 
years, at any one employment, and who are willing to live 
frugally, in the presence of their children, whom by example 
and precept they teach to be rightly and profitably employed, 
cannot fail to make a lasting impression for good, which will 
reveal itself, in the character of the community, of which these 
children form a part. Let it never be forgotten, that the man 
who possesses industry, frugal itj^ and integrity, lives in his in- 
fluence upon those who succeed him, and his memory will not 

21 



102 HI8T0RY OF GARD^^ER. 

f;iil of being honored. But the man who has no other ambition, 

than to be, as Pope says, 

" Fixed like a plant, on his peculiar spot, 
To draw nutrition, propagate and rot," 

will have little to comfort himself or others, while he lives, and 
dying will not be regretted. 

Gardner is very fortunate, in the industrious habits of its 
earliest inhabitants. Whether from necessity or choice, they 
were a busy people, whose children were taught the value of 
industry and economy, and who, not content to follow the sim- 
ple routine, of the fathers, have, in the progress of years, built 
up industries, and inaugurated enterprises, which have made 
the town famous, not only in our own, but in foreign lands. 
The design of this chapter, is to trace the development and 
growth of the business of the town, from its very small begin- 
ning, to the present time, taking each industrial department in 

^^^^^^* AGRICULTURE. 

" He that by the plow would thrive. 
Must either hold himself or drive." 

During the first twenty years, subsequent to the incorporation 
of the town, the principal occupation of the inhabitants was 
farming. Difficult of cultivation, as the soil of the town has 
ever been, it furnished for these years, almost the entire means 
of subsistence which the people then enjoyed, few in numbers, 
and scattered over the surface of the township, as they were. 
At the present time even, although the town is characterized by 
its chair manufacturing, it should not be understood, that there 
is no successful farming done among us. According to the 
State Census for 1875, there were one hundred and seven farms 
in town, consisting of ten thousand two hundred and fifty and 
one-half acres, of which one thousand seven hundred and thirty- 
four acres are under cultivation, with a total value of farm 
property of four hundred and fifty-four thousand, six hundred 
and fifty-four dollars. The hay crop was fourteen hundred and 
twenty-nine tons ; there were four hundred and twenty-nine 
bush els of corn raised : seven thousand and one hundred and 



HIS TOBY OF GARDNER. 163 

fifty-four bushels of potatoes ; two thousand six hundred and 
five hushels of apples; eighteen thousand pounds of beef; 
twenty-three thousand five hundred and sixty-seven pounds of 
pork ; twelve thousand four hundred and five pounds of butter ; 
four thousand one hundred and twenty-one gallons of milk ; 
eight hundred and sixty-six pounds of cheese ; besides many 
other agricultural products, not worthy of mention, in detail, 
making the total valuation of fiirm products for 1875, $72,066, 
while that of Barre, which is a distinctively agricultural town, 
was $266,167. 

From these figures it will be seen that Gardner, is not devoid 
of farming interests, which employ the muscle and brain, of a 
considerable portion of its population, who are able to supply 
their own wants, with the labor of their hands, while they car- 
ry something to the column of accumulation, from year to year. 
Quite a number of these farms have for the last few years been 
subjects of great improvements, in the laying of stone fences, 
and in a high degree of fertilization, and cultivation. Such, 
however, is the number of the populatioji, not engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits, that the products of the farms of Gardner, 
are by no means suiEcient to supply the demand for them. 
Hence, the town furnishes a good market for other towns, to 
which, it is easy of access. 

COOPERAGE. 

While farming was the chief employment of the people, for 
the first twenty years, there were a few persons who gave some 
attention, to the making of tubs and barrels, which they did 
without the aid of anything, like modern machinery, using only 
the axe and shave. This, however, never assumed the dignity 
of a distinct business, but served to fill out the time not needed 
upon small farms, and furnished employment through the winter 
season. 

CHAIR MANUFACTURING. 

Missionaries, among the Zulus, inform us that the first evi- 
dence of the humanizing and elevating influence of relio-ion and 



16t HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

civilization, upon the natives, is seen in their demand for a 
cotton shirt. In like manner, it may be said that the demand, 
which a progressive, civil and religions culture, makes for the 
use of chairs, is indicative of the fact that men have risen from 
a lower to a hig-her condition of intelligence as well as of men- 
tal and moral growth. In the opinion of the savants and lovers 
of antiquarian knowledge, the first man sat, or lay, on the 
ground, whenever he rested. He was of the earth, earthy. 
But as time advanced, there came gradually to be invented seats 
of different sorts, as the supply of a natural want, so that house- 
hold furniture of a rude description dates its origin to remote 
antiquity, when men first began to build houses to dwell in. 

It is evident from the monuments of ancient Egypt and 
Assyria, that the art of constructing elaborate furniture, for 
dwellings, was carried to a very high degree. The throne of 
the king, was noted for its costliness and beauty of ornamenta- 
tion ; while the chair of the subject was not wanting in con- 
venience and strength. It is said that the chairs in the houses 
of these ancient kings, were made of most rare and costly 
woods, beautifully carved, and inlaid with gold and ivory. The 
backs and seats, of these chairs and settees, were covered with 
elaborately Avrought tapestries. The " camp chair," of modern 
days, was used in these ancient times, covered with the skins 
of animals. Instead of our cane seat chairs, now so common 
and so convenient, the ancients had a chair of similar construe^ 
tion, made from leather, cut into strips and woven into net work, 
which made a seat strong, easy and durable. 

From the Assyrians, the Asiatic lonians and the Greeks de- 
rived the art of furniture making, with all the convenience, 
ornamentation and elegance of their household furniture. From 
the Athenians, this art was transferred to the Romans, who still 
further advanced it in beauty of carving and ornamentation. 
It is said that, " the couches, upon which the old Romans re- 
posed at table, were often inlaid with silver, gold, ivory, tor- 
toise-shell and precious woods, with carved ivory and metal 
feet ; and the furniture of a rich man's house represented, in it- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 165 

self, an enoriiTous fortune." This fact is evident from the dis- 
coveries made at Pompeii. Till the fifteenth century, in Eng- 
lund the household furniture was by no means elegant, but 
rather of the roughest type. The chairs and " settles " were 
very strong and generally fixed to the floor or against the wall. 

Subsequent to this time, furniture w^as made of much more 
elegant finish, though not very abundant even in the houses of 
the most wealthy. These articles of furniture, including chairs, 
were constructed from the native woods, oak and chestnut, and 
were devoid of taste. Not until the reign of William III, 
1G97-1702, did these woods give place to mahogany, out of 
which were made those sombi-e, inelegant designs, then so com- 
mon in England, and which, came to this country with the ear- 
liest settlers. Soon after this time, instead of the solid mahog- 
any chairs and other articles of furniture, there came to be 
used a mahogany veneer, which still prevails in England and 
America. It is said that, since the establishment of the royal 
manufactory of furniture, in Paris, by Louis XIV, France 
stands at the head of all nations, in the costliness, beauty and 
elegance of its furniture, and that it furnishes models for the 
rest of the world. 

For the first few years after the settlement of this country, 
the furniture used by the colonists was imported. It is hardly 
possible to ascertain very precisely when the manufacturing of 
household furniture first began in this country. A writer in a 
work entitled the " Great Industries of the United States," tells 
us that " among the first pieces of furniture made in this coun- 
try, were such economical devices as seats that could be turned 
into tables, and tables hinged against the wall so that, when not 
in use, they could be turned down, thus giving more room in 
the apartment."* After a time there was made the straight, 
high-backed, uncomfortable, solid mahogany or veneered chairs, 
some of which remain, as curious relics, unto this day. After 
this, rare woods, from the West Indies and South America, be- 
gan to be used and were very popular. 

*Great Industries of the Uuited States, p. 1099-1103. 



166 HISTORY OF GAllDJ^FR. 

The common kinds of furniture were mncle of oak, pine, 
maple and chestnut. These woods still continue to be largely 
used. Within a few years, black walnut has come into use for 
more costly furniture, and is at the present date, quite popular, 
not only for chairs, but for chamber sets. There is in this 
country, at the present time, an enormous manufacture of cane 
seated chairs, whose frames are made from oak, maple and 
walnut, whose market is in almost all parts of the globe. The 
seats and backs of these chairs are made from a palmaceous 
plant, called Calamus Rotang and Calamus Viminalis. From 
Borneo to Bengal, this cane is gathered in great quantities, for 
the Chinese, European and American markets. The process 
by which it is prepared for the seats and backs of chairs, will 
come under review farther on in this chapter. 

Coming, as we do now, to speak of the manufacture of chairs 
in this town, which is its chief business, and by which it has 
obtained its fame and wealth, we shall iind, that like the great 
streams flowing through a country, this great industry is trace- 
able to a very small beginning. Sometime, about the year 1805, 
Mr. James M. Comee began the making of Avood and flag seated 
chairs, in the house, on Pearl Street, now owned by Mr. Webster 
Gates. These chairs he made entirely by hand, with the aid 
of a foot lathe. He employed several young men, as apprenti- 
ces, among whom were Isaac Jaquith, Enoch Brick, Elijah Brick, 
Elijah Putnam, Luke Fairbank, Joseph Jackson and Artemas 
Brown. Some of these gentlemen afterwards entered into the 
chair business for themselves. The chairs manufactured by Mr. 
Comee were transported to Worcester, Boston and other places, 
by teams of horses, and sold in small lots as opportunity offered. 
This proved to be a profitable business for those times, so that 
Mr. Comee was enabled to accumulate quite a handsome estate 
from his industry and frugality. The machinery used in mak- 
ing chairs, at that time, was so simple, and the tools so few, 
that there was an inducement for others to enter the business 
for themselves. Consequently one shop after another was es- 
tablished, until they have reached the number of twelve in the 
town, of which a detailed account will now be presented. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 167 

During the latter part of Mr. Comee's life, Mr. Ezra Baker, 
then living upon the west side of Crystal Lake, constructed a 
small dam, near the house of Mr. G. W. Bickford, on Knee- 
land Brook, for the purpose of securing sufficient water power 
to carr}'^ a turning lathe. Mr. Baker bought timber of his 
neighbors, partly prepared, by being sawed into suitable length 
and rounded somewhat upon the corners, for turning in this 
lathe driven by water power, it being then thought impossiI)le 
to turn a perfectly square stick. Subsequently, Mr. Baker, 
thinking he might as well prepai'e his own lumber, for turn- 
ing, introduced a small circular saw, which was also driven by 
water power. The stock thus turned, by Mr. Baker, was sold 
to Mr. Comee, and in this way greatly facilitated the manufac- 
ture of the chairs made and sold by him. 

Sometime, about 1827, Deacon Asa Perley constructed the 
shop now standing near the house of Deacon Samuel Clark, 
where he manufactured chair stock upon a scale so much more 
extensive than did Mr. Baker, as to make it unprofitable for 
the latter to continue the business as formerly. During these 
years, Mr. Elijah Brick built, for himself, a shop about three- 
fourths of a mile north of the common, where, for several 
years, he employed a number of men in chair making. There 
was also a shop built and conducted by Mr. Walter Hey wood, 
now of Fitchbnrg, upon the site where stands the house of 
Asher W. Shattuck. Mr. Hey wood employed, in his chair 
business, from fifteen to twenty hands. This shop was burned 
in 1834, and was never rebuilt. 

Sometime, previous to the erection of these two shops, first 
named, Mr. Merrick Wallace began the turning of chair stock, 
upon a somewhat extensive scale, upon the site now occupied 
by the shops of Heywood Bros. & Co., having purchased a 
water privilege of Deacon Nnah Fairbanks, who had already 
deepened the channel leading from Crystal Lake, for the pur- 
pose of obtaining a better supply of water, for his grist mill, 
then standing upon the site now occupied by the chair shop of 
L. H. Sawin & Co. The shop erected by Mr. Wallace, for this 



168 HISTOBY OF GARDNER. 

purpose, was about forty feet in length by twenty -five feet in 
width. With the increased facilities, thus obtained, Mr. Wal- 
lace was able to furnish a partial supply of turned stock, for 
the several shops then in the business of chair making, in this 
town. 

There was also, about the same time, a shop erected by Mr. 
Elijah Putnam, upon the site now occupied by the house of 
Mr. Charles Scolla}'. Here Mr. Putnam employed horse power 
for a while, in preparing stock for his chairs, till subsequently 
he purchased the water privilege now owned by J. A. & I. J. 
Dunn, to which place he moved his shop, which now forms a 
part of the chair shop of the above-named firm. About the 
year 1830, a company composed of Messrs. Levi Heywood, 
Benjamin F. Heywood, Walter Heywood and William Hey- 
wood, under the firm name of B. F. Heywood & Co., bought 
out Mr. Merrick Wallace and erected a larger shop, where they 
carried on the manufacture of chairs till 1837, when Mr. Levi 
Heywood bought out his brothers, and continued the business 
alone till 1842, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Moses 
Wood. The two continued the business together till 1847. Mr. 
Wood then retired and a new company was formed, called Levi 
Heywood & Co., which continued from 1847 to 1851, when the 
Heywood Chair Manufacturing Company, was formed, which 
was a joint stock company, in which, some of those employed 
in the shop, held shares. 

This arrangement continued till 1861, when the shops, owned 
by the company, were burned. In 1862 a new company was 
formed consisting of Messrs. Levi Heywood, Seth Heywood, 
Charles Heywood and Henry C. Hill, called Heywood Brothers 
& Co. This company continued till January 1st, 1868, at which 
time, Messrs. Charles Heywood and Henry C. Hill retired, and 
Messrs. Henry Heywood, George Heywood — sons of Seth Hey- 
wood — and Alvin M. Greenwood — son-in-law of Levi Hey- 
wood — and subsequently Amos Morrill, entered the firm, con- 
tinuing the old firm name, which is still known as Heywood 
Brothers & Co. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 169 

In 187{). Mr. Charles Heywoocl, re-entered this firm of which 
he is now u member. 

Mr. Jonas Brick, brother of Elijah Brick, began the*manu- 
facture of chairs upon the site, now occupied by the lumber 
mill of Mr. Marcus Wright, in South Gardner. The date at 
which the chair business was commenced, in this place, cannot 
be definitely recalled. About the same time, Messrs. Stephen 
Taylor, George Whitney, Ephraim Wright and Gen. Moses 
Wood, were engaged, individually, in the manufjicture of chairs, 
at the South Village. 

The chair shop, now owned and conducted by Mr. Sylvester 
K. Pierce, stands upon the site formerly occupied by Mr. 
Stephen Tajdor, Avho purchased an old potash shop, standing 
upon the premises, which he enlarged and supplied with a 
wheel. He afterward sold his business to Mr. Pierce, who had 
been employed, for several years previously, l)y Mr. Taylor, as 
one of the workmen, in his shop. Mr. Pierce, since purchas- 
ing the above named premises, has erected new and commodi- 
ous shops, as his constantly increasing business, has from time 
to time, demanded, using both water and steam power. 

The shop where now Messrs. Wright & Read are employed, 
in the manufacture of chairs, stands upon the site where for- 
merly stood a wool carding mill, which was used for that pur- 
pose until sometime, between 18.30 and 1840, Avhen a company 
was formed for the manufacture of pine furniture, particularly 
washsfands, known b}^ the firm name of Goodspeed & Baker. 
This furniture w^as extensively sold in California. Afterwards 
Messrs. Greenwood & Wright bought out this company, and 
built a large shop, where they carried on the chair business for 
several years. Afterwards a new company was formed, called 
the South Gardner Manufacturing Company, of which Messrs. 
Greenwood & Wright were members. This company was sub- 
sequently dissolved, Messrs. Greenwood & Wright purchasing 
the property. They afterwards dissolved partnership, Mr. 
Wright retaining the business, having admitted as partners, 
Messrs. John M. Moore and Charles F. Read. These gentle- 

22 



170 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

men continued the l)usiness under the firm nume of Wright, 
Moore & Co., till the fall of 1877, when Mr. Moore retired. 
The firm name was then changed to Wright & Read, by whom 
the business is now conducted. The shops of Wright, Moore 
& Co., were burned and rebuilt in May, 1<S66. 

The site now occupied by C. S. Greenwood's Sons, was 
originally owned by Mi'. Alfred Bickford, who, having learned 
the trade of turning chair stock, built a shop upon these grounds 
for that purpose, introducing a circuhir saw and other appliances, 
for facilitating his business, which he continued for several 
years, until he sold out to Messrs. C. S. Greenwood and David 
Wright, who, for a number of years, continued the manufac- 
ture of chairs, having also purchased, as will be seen above, 
the shops then standing upon the site now owned by Messrs. 
Wright & Read. When Messrs. Greenwood & W^right dis- 
solved partnership, Mr. C. S. Greenwood retained this shop, 
where he continued to manufacture chairs till his death in 1873, 
under the firm name of C. S. Greenwood. He was immediate- 
ly succeeded by his sons, Charles H. Greenwood and Frederick 
M. Greenwood, who have since continued the business, under 
the title of C. S. Greenwood's Sons. During the time Mr. C. 
S. Greenwood occupied these premises, he enlarged the shops, 
by adding to them, the first meeting-house built by the Evan- 
gelical Society, which was discarded, when this society entered 
their new church, built in 1856. Besides this, other enlarge- 
ments and improvements were, from time to time made, as his 
increasing business demanded. 

The shop now owned and occupied b}'' S. Bent & Brothers, 
stands upon the premises originally used by John Merriam, for 
a clothins mill. There was afterwards a shop for turning chair 
stock, upon the same site. Mr. Merriam subsequently sold out 
to Mr. Sullivan Sawin, who used the shop for the same purpose, 
and was afterwards succeeded by his son, John Sawin, who 
sold the property to S. Bent & Brothers, who have since con- 
ducted the business of chair making. The partners in this firm 
are Messrs. Samuel, Charles O. and Roderic L. Bent. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 171 

Mr. Thomas Greenwood carries on the chair business, estab- 
lished by his father, Mr. Walter Greenwood. He is engaged 
chiefly in the manufacture of high backed rocking chairs, and 
makes use of water power only. 

The Travers mill was originally a grist and saw mill, built by 
Capt. William Bickford. It was afterwards sold to Mr. Elijah 
Travers, who used it for the same purpose, for a number of 
years. He was a carpenter, and house builder by trade. His 
two sons, Messrs. E. C. and O. A. Travers coming in posses- 
sion of the property, here established the business of chair 
making. 

Messrs. Conant, Ball & Co., own the shop, which was built 
by Messrs. Aaron R. Jackson and Aaron L. Greenwood, who 
originally liegan the business of chair making, which subse- 
quently passed to their successors, A. White & Co. This firm 
was succeeded b}- Messrs. Conant Brothers & Co., who con- 
ducted the business successfully for several years, when the 
present firm name of Conant, Ball & Co., was taken. The gen- 
tlemen now comprising this firm are Messrs. John R. Conant, 
Carlos E. Ball and Charles W. Conant. This shop is on the 
road from South Gardner to Templeton, and is run by both 
water and steam power. 

A. & H. C. Knowlton. The shop of these brothers, was 
erected, upon its present site, by Mr. Abner White, who having 
bought the old Coolidge house, which formerly stood in the 
northwest part of the town, moved it down to its present loca- 
tion, where it has since been enlarged. It was for sometime, 
occupied by Messrs. White & Derby, then ])y Knowlton & 
Derby, when Mr. Derby retiring, it passed into the hands of 
the above named gentlemen, who have since carried on the busi- 
ness of chair making, employing steam and water power. 

E. Wright & Co. Mr. Abner White built the shop now oc- 
cupied by this firm. He afterward sold it to Mr. Ephraim 
Wright, who continued the business of chair making till his 
death, about twelve years since. He was immediately suc- 
ceeded by his sons, William W. and Edwin L. Wright, who 



172 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

continue the business under the iirra nnme of E. Wright &. 
Co. A portion of the shop of this Hrm, was originally a two- 
story house, which stood upon the Green place, and was moved 
to its present position, by Mr. Abner White. 

Philander Derby's shop. About the year 1834 Mr. Benjamin 
F. Ileywood built the dam, Avhere now Mr. Derby's shop stands. 
Here he erected a saw mill, connecting with it other machinery 
for the manufacture of lumber and chairs. After a time, he sold 
his interest to Mr. Martin Dunster, who occupied the shop for 
the manufacture of barrel covers, boxes and other articles of 
Avooden Avare. In 1844 the shop Avas burned. The privilege 
was then bought by some parties Avho organized under the tirm 
name of Edgell, Bush & Co. This tirm built a new shop which 
they used, for the manufacture of lumber, boxes and chairs. 
Subsequently it was sold to Messrs. Nichols & Baker, Avho used it 
for a grist mill, flour and grain store. In 1863 Messrs. Derby, 
Knowlton & Co., bouo;ht the buildino- making large additions, 
and occupied it as a chair shop till 1868, Avhen Mr. Derby 
bought out the others, and has conducted the business alone, 
till the present date. 

The shop now OAvned by Messrs. J. A. & I. J. Dunn, AA'as 
originally l)uilt by Mr. Elijah Putnam, who having bought the 
AA'ater privilege of Mr. William Lynde, built a dam, and moved 
upon the site his old shop Avhich, as already noticed, stood near 
the house of Mr. Charles Scollay. He afterward sokl the prop- 
erty to Collester, Kugg & Co. This company consisted of 
Messrs. Thorley Collester, Benjamin Rugg, Ruel Comee, Maro 
Collester and Edward Stevens. Some of the latter gentlemen 
retiring, Messrs. Franklin and George Eaton, became members 
of the company. Mr. Thorley Collester died in 1862, when 
Messrs. John A. Dunn and Nathaniel Holmes succeeded him, 
under the firm name of Eaton, Holmes & Dunn. Mr. Holmes 
retired in 1865, leaving Messrs. Eaton and Dunn partners in 
the business. This partnership continued till 1875, when Mr. 
Eaton sold his interest to Mr. Isaac J. Dunn, since Avhich time 
the firm name has been J. A. & I. J. Dunn. This shop has 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 173 

been greatly enlarged from its original dimensions, and a pow- 
erful engine added to the facilities for driving the machinery. 

The site where now stands the shop of L. H. Sawin & Co., 
was originally occupied by Deacon Noah Fairbanks, for a grist 
mill. Mr. Fairbanks began business at this place about the 
year 1^00, and remained here for thirty years, using the mill 
for the al)ove purpose ; he afterward sold to Mr. Ezra Baker, 
Avho enlarged the building, and added the business of manufac- 
turing chair stock. Mr. Baker sold to Mr. Elijah Putnam, who 
began the work of chair making, but in 1839 the shop was 
burned. Subsequently a new building was erected, which was 
purchased in 1851 by Mr. L. H. Sawin, who having enlarged 
the same, carried on the chair business alone till 1861, when 
he admitted as partner Mr. Mason Osgood, who continued in 
the business under the firm name of Sawin & Osgood till 1869, 
when Mr. Osgood retired. After Mr. Osgood's retirement, 
Mr. Edward H. Sawin, son, and Mr. Reuben H. Twichell, 
son-in-law of Mr. L. H. Sawin, entered the firm, which has 
since been known, as the firm of L. H. Sawin & Co. This com- 
pany use both Avater and steam power. 

Having given as accurately as we are able to obtain it, a brief 
history of all the chair firms in town, from their inception, we 
present in the following tabular form, a statistical statement of 
the average amount of business done, bj' each firm, for the last 
ten years, the number of hands employed, number of chairs 
made annually, average value per chair at the shop, amount of 
capital invested and amount of horse power used. 



174 



HISTORY OF GATtBNER. 



Names of Fikms. 



- z -i 



C C p 

d < 



if. J '~ 



— 9' 
C _ 



Steam. Water. 



*Heywoo(i Brothers & Co., 

Philander Derby, 

S. K. Pierce, 

J. A. & I. J. Dunn, 

A. & 11. C. Knowiton, 

Conant, Ball & Co., 

C. S. Greenwood's Sons,... 

E. Wright & Co., 

S. Bent & Bros., 

L. II. Sawin & Co., ■ 

Wrio-ht & Head, , 

Thos. Greenwood, 



.«!700,000 4.50.000 


.$1.25 


$500,000 


467 


125 


1.50,000 


150,000 


1.00 


50,000 


65 


70 


135,000 


135,000 


1.00 


41,000 


75 


50 


103,760 


100.738 


1.03 


30,000 


60 


100 


59,438 


49,532 


1.20 


12,000 


20 


15 


58,280 


31,000 


1.88 


40,000 


35 


25 


50,000 


50,000 


1.00 


35,000 


30 




50,400 


70,000 


72 


25,000 


20 


15 


50,250 


75,000 


67 


30,000 


20 




50,000 


40,000 


1.25 


19,400 


35 


35 


45.000 


52,325 


86 


25,000 


35 


12 


19,906 


13,271 


1.50 


8,000 


7 





10 
15 
40 
10 
15 
25 
25 
20 
25 
10 
35 



*JucIu(ling Cane. 



It will lie seen from the above statistics, that the chair busi- 
ness in this town, has grown to very large dimensions ; its 
average annual amount for the last ten years being one million 
four hundred and seventy-two thousand and thirty-four dollars ; 
the capital required about a million of dollars, while the chairs 
manufactured annually, number neaily two millions. 

In justice to the enterprise of the above named gentlemen, it 
should be stated that, in addition to their business interests here 
in Gardner, several of them have opened houses in Boston, 
Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago and 
San Francisco, where is carried on an extensive business, in- 
volving a larffe amount of capital not named in the above 
schedule. 

For the information of those who have little, or no knowl- 
edge of the manufacture of chairs, from actual observation, it 
may be regarded as not amiss to give, in this place, some ac- 
count of the different i)rocesses and machines employed in their 
manufacture. For this purpose we select the shops of Hey- 
wooci Bros. & Co., who make a variety of chairs peculiar to 
themselves. 

Entering the chair shops of these gentlemen and giving 
ourselves up, with that docility of mind, needful to secure 



HISTOUY OF GARDNER. 175 

the requisite iiifonniitioii, let us fuUow our frieudly guide 
for a few liours, us he leads us from ste[) to step, in the process 
of constructing a chair, which is of a pattern common, to all 
these shops, called Grecian. We shall tind that the woods, of 
different sorts, enter these shops, in two conditions. They are 
sometimes brought in the log. If so, they are first taken into 
the saw mill, where, with a large, rapidly revolving saw, they 
are cut into planks of required dimensions. These planks are 
immediately sawed by a cutting off saw, into pieces of deisred 
length. These pieces are then taken, and marked out, with a 
pencil, according to different patterns, laid upon them, and 
are sawed into strips, for the different parts of a chair, after 
which, they are carried to the dry-house, or " stuck up" in the 
yards, t(j be seasoned for future use. A large portion, however, 
of the materials for a chair, are now partially prepared at a saw 
mill, near the place where the timber grows, in the several 
states from which it is obtained. Prepared in this way, it 
comes to the shops, of these manufacturers, in a rough state, 
where it is subjected to various processes of preparation, need- 
ful for a tinished chair. For instance, in the Grecian chair, 
already named, we have, tirst, the posts, which come to the 
shop sawed out, but left in a rough condition. These posts are 
tirst planed, rounded and finished on the sides and edges, by 
what is called a scraper. The backs and centers also come to 
the shops sawed in convex shape on the back and concave on 
the front sides. These are marked, I)v pencil, according to the 
desired pattern, for the edges, then" jigged, "and rounded on the 
top edge ; after this, the back and front sides are smoothed with 
a scraper. The last process, is that of sanding. 

The seats, also, come sawed in four pieces. These pieces 
are all exactly fitted to each other, iu a machine for that pur- 
pose, so that all similar pieces are of precisely the same dimen- 
sions. They are then glued and driven together with dowels, 
after which, they are planed and rounded, then scraped, sanded 
and bored, ready for receiving the cane, at the hands of the 
seaters. The posts are mortised, preparatory to receiving 



170 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

the backs and centres, which are themselves prepared with 
tenons for insertion, in the mortises, into which they are driven 
with glue, after which process, they are held in clamps till dry. 
'The front posts and rounds of the chair, we are now describing, 
are sawed from the log into square pieces, of the required length 
and size. These are then put into a gauge lathe of the Whit- 
ney pattern, capable, with its variety of knives, of producing 
any desired shape. The stretchers are then inserted in the 
posts, bored for that purpose, their ends having been fitted in a 
tenoning machine. The chair is then said to be " finished in 
the wood." 

Having now observed the various processes, through which 
the different parts of this chair have passed, let us recall the 
variety of machines which have been used, having in mind, 
at the same time, the foot lathe and tools of a primitive chair 
shop. 

We have first, the large circular saw, passing through a log 
with a rapidity fitted to astonish the minds of our fathers, w^ith 
their grunting, spasmodic, upright saw. Then follows the 
Whitney lathe, the belt saw, the boring, tenoning, planing, 
ronnding, scraping, mortising machines, the planing machine, 
adapted to the back of the chair, small jig saw, sandpaper 
wheel, jointing saw and boring machine, for fitting frames, 
rounding machine, for rounding and surface planer, for smooth- 
ing frames, and a machine for rounding inside edge of frames, 
to prevent them fiom cutting the strands of cane, after the chair 
has been seated. We shall find that seventeen diflerent ma- 
chines have been employed, in fitting the wood, of which the 
chair is composed, aside from the process of caning. 

We have been hitherto, speaking of the different sorts of 
machines used in making a Grecian chair, manufactured by all 
the chair makers, in order to show the great advance made in 
chair making, since the business first began. 

Leaving now this chair, let us walk about one of these shops 
and examine other machines used for the manufacture of differ- 
ent patterns of chairs. Our attention will be arrested by the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 177 

various kinds of bending machines, and the variety of the princi- 
ple employed in the bending process. We have, for instance, 
a machine of immense power, capable of bending, by one oper- 
ation, three pieces of timber, each two and one-fourth by 
one and seven-eighths inches, and fifty-seven inches in length. 
These sticks, having first been dried, are placed in a steam box, 
where they are allowed to remain, from one to three hours, 
after which, they are taken out and placed in a strap, with cast 
iron ends, formed in a box like shape, for receiving the ends of 
the pieces and holding them secure. They are then placed in 
position, in the bending machine, in front of which, is a block of 
wood, Avhose convex side is of the shape required to form the 
bow of the chair, of which it is to be a part. Thus placed, the 
machine is put in motion, carrying the block rapidly back 
against the middle of these pieces, by a tremendous pressure, 
while at the same time, their ends are brought around against 
the front part of the block, where they are confined by clasps. 
These pieces are then carried to the dry house, from which, 
after a few days, they are ready to be removed. They are then 
sawed lengthwise, into two pieces each, 'after which, they are 
again bent, in two other directions, before being made into a 
chair. It requires three men to work the machine. 

Aside from this machine, marvellous for its power, we shall 
find a machine for bending the rails of a chair, one piece, when 
bent, forming the whole rail ; another for bending the backs of 
chairs ; another for bending the arms of rocking chairs, in the 
form of a scroll, till the diflferent sorts of bent work, amount in 
all to about one hundred. 

The wood when bent, is subjected to the process of drying, 
in a room whose temperature ranges from one hundred and fifty 
to one hundred and eighty degrees, where it remains from one 
to three weeks, after which, it is placed upon cars, in the build- 
ing, and run to the elevator, in the main shop, upon which 
it is, like all other prepared stock, carried to the upper story 
where, in an assorted condition, it is packed away, in different 
23 



178 HISTORY OF GAEDNFR. 

stalls, ready for the future use of the workmeu, when calletl 
upon " to iill an order." 

Continuing our observations upon different machines, we 
shall iind those, which are still more curious and complicated. 
Here in a certain room, is a dovetailing machine, of strange de- 
vice, fitted to do its work rapidly and well ; again a cutting 
and a molding machine, making five thousand revolutions in a 
minute, with its several knives revolving so rapidly as not to 
be seen, making its beautiful beads, bevels, and grooves, upon 
the wood that comes in contact with it ; also a machine for 
rounding the bottoms of wood seat chairs, revolving with such 
rapidity and power, that its strong knives hurl their chips with 
tremendous force and noise against the plaidvs, with which it is 
surrounded, for the safety of the workmen ; besides many other 
kinds of machinery, which we cannot now mention in detail. 

There is one machine, however, deserving of special mention, 
as showing at present, the highest advancement, in the rapid 
construction of cane seated chairs. The name of this machine 
is the Automatic Channeling Machine, and is the invention of 
Mr. G. A. Watkins, whose genius, as an inventor, will engage 
our attention, in a succeeding chapter of this work. 

The object of this machine, is to channel the seat frame of a 
chair, for the reception of the woven seat. It will be seen, that, 
while a machine might be invented for channeling one par- 
ticular kind of frame, provided that frame were a complete 
circle, the difficulty must be greatly enhanced, wdien the inven- 
tor should seek to adapt his machine, to the work of channeling 
frames of different sizes and of irregular patterns. After long 
and patient study, this obstacle, was finally overcome, by Mr. 
Watkins, so that now, we have a machine that is automatic, and 
capable of doing its work, with entire success, upon any kind 
of seat, that may be desired. 

In the first place the frame, to be channeled, is placed upon 
a metallic form, of the exact shape of the wood seat frame, and 
secured by a thumb screw. The periphery of this metallic 
form is grooved transversely, for gearing to a cog-wheel, revolv- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 179 

ing horizontally upon u perpendicular spindle of the machine. 
The under side of this form has a beveled groove, for the pur- 
pose of adapting it, to the centre pin upon the table. The 
crown of this pin is about one-fourth of an inch in thickness, 
and has a greater diameter than the pin itself. By the head of 
this pin so adjusted, that it revolves within the beveled gro(jve 
of the metallic form, for the prevention of friction, the form, 
is held firmly in its place, while performing its revolutions, 
with the chair fi-ame fastened upon it. 

In addition to this invention, for holding and revolving the 
seat frame, there is a revolving bit, of such peculiar construc- 
tion, that it not only channels the frame, but at the same time 
throws the chips almost entirely out of the channel which it 
makes, thus preventing clogging. There is, moreover, a com- 
pound lever by which, with the motion of a cam, the bit is sunk 
stil). deeper, in the wood, at the precise moment, the rapidly re- 
volving frame completes one revolution, and begins another, 
until four revolutions are completed, three of which are for 
making the channel, while the fourth is for clearing it of any 
remaining chips or dust. When these four revolutions are ac- 
complished, the machine throws itself out of gear automatically, 
its work being done. It requires only about one minute and a 
third with this machine, to channel a frame for the reception of 
the woven seat, and so perfect and reliable is it in the accom- 
plishment of its work, that boys are able to operate it. 

The distinguishing peculiarity of this machine is found, in 
that arrangement, whereby the pin, that holds the revolving 
form firmly in its position, is placed exactly under the bit, thus, 
securing the identical sort of a channel, in each frame, since, if 
this could not be done, the die, that presses the woven seat into 
the channel, would crush the wood, and spoil the seat frame. 
In other words the channel and the die, must be in every in- 
stance of perfect identity in pattern. This essential feature is 
secured by fixing the pin, holding the form, exactly under the 
bit that makes the channel. 



180 HISTOEY OF GARDNER, 

The frame, thus prepared, is passed on for the reception of 
its woven seat. This seat is cut, by dies, into the shape required 
by difierent kinds of frames, from a web woven in another part 
of this shop, in the short space of two minutes. When this is 
cut, it is dipped into a tank of water, made hot, by passing 
steam through it. The object of wetting the cane, is to secure 
its greater tension when dried, after being inserted, in the 
frame. 

To insert a woven seat in a frame, requires three different 
processes. In the first place, one man fills the channel of the 
frames, in part, with glue, which he does, by means of a metallic 
nozzle, with a valve so contrived, that when this nozzle touches 
the bottom of the channel, it causes this valve to open, and the 
hot glue to pour out, through a hose connected with a copper 
glue tank, suspended over the tank for hot water. When this 
nozzle has been thus rapidly passed around in the channel, the 
required amount of glue has been supplied. 

This process, of gluing the channel, completed, the seat frame 
is passed along to another workman, to receive its woven seat, 
under the pressure of the Crimping Press. This is a simple 
press, with a sliding table, guide pins and web guide. Upon 
the follower or movable part of the press, is fastened a thin 
piece of brass, shaped so as to correspond to and enter the 
channel of the seat frame, when forced downward by the action 
of a treadle. The woven seat is placed upon the seat frame, 
in such a manner, as to allow it to extend three-quarters of an 
inch over and beyond the groove, on all sides. The seat frame 
is then placed upon pins, which spring from the surface of the 
table, the web guide being swung down upon the frame, the 
web of cane is placed within the guide, over the channel, and 
the whole is slid under the press, the crimping ring forced on 
to the web and into the bottom of the channel, the table slid out, 
the seat guide swung back and the seat is then ready to be 
passed to the next workman, for the reception of the spline, 
which is pressed into the channel by a machine called the 
Spline and Embossing Press. 



HISTORY OF GAIWNEIL 181 

This is a double geared machine, of great strength, weighing 
five thousand four hundred pounds, and capable of exerting 
great power. The die, which it operates, does a five fold duty. 
It is made of the best gun metal, of proper size and form, to 
correspond to the seat frame, to be caned. It consists of a 
sliding table, guide pins, type, hinge and main part, or spline 
driver, and an outer and inner ring. The object of the table is 
to receive the patent stamp, type and guide pins. All the other 
parts are also attached to this, and slid under the jaws of the 
press, when ready for operating. The inner ring rests on four 
coiled springs, and when coming in contact with the web and 
frame, yields back, into the main part of the die, doing the 
double duty of holding the inner side of the spline, in its posi- 
tion, and of preventing the die from shearing the cane, while 
being forced home. 

The outer ring, rests on springs, the same as the other, doing 
the double duty of supporting the outer side of the spline, 
while being forced in, and at the same time embossing the face 
of the seat, all around the outer edge of the spline, thus mak- 
ing a perfect joint and forming a beautiful bead. The main 
part, to which all the other parts are attached, sends the spline 
to the bottom of the channel, stretches the web, giving uniform 
tension to each strand of cane, by causing it to turn three right 
angles, one over the edge of the channel and two at the bottom 
of the spline, sunk to the lower surface of the channel. To pre- 
pare the machine to do its work, the spline is first placed within 
the rings of the die, the seat frame is placed on guide pins, as 
before, and the die folded down on the frame, then all are slid 
under the jaAvs of the great press, whose power is now instantly 
brought to bear, driving in the spline, stretching the web, em- 
bossing the seat, stamping the dates of the dififerent patents, 
in the wood on the under side of the seat frame, thus brinffiusf 
cane, glue, spline and frame into one solid mass, and com- 
pleting the operation. 

The three processes now described, occupy only about forty 
seconds of time. Allowing two minutes to weave a seat, one 



182 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

minute and one-third to channel the seat frame and forty seconds 
to insert the woven seat, as above described, we have about 
four minutes for completing a chair scat, after the seat frame 
has been made. 

Having completed our observations of the different kinds of 
machinery used in the construction of chairs, we are not only 
greatly impressed, with the fact of the wonderful advance, that 
has been made, in complicated and intricate mechanical inven- 
tions, but also wnth the rapidity with Avhich the work upon the 
different parts of a chair is done. For instance, here is a ma- 
chine for fitting the front part of the seat frame of a Grecian 
chair, which is so constructed that, when this particular part of 
the frame is placed upon a carriage, it is carried by the work- 
man along past a circular saw, by which both ends of the piece 
are cut off, at precisely the same angle ; this done, four revolving 
bits, are by means of a treadle, brought up against the parts of 
the piece thus sawed, by which four holes, are made for dowels. 
This whole process of sawing and boring, occupies less than 
four seconds of time. How difierent, from the old pi-ocess by 
which Mr. Comee did his work with auger, saw and bit. Yet 
this is only one instance in many, of the rapidity with which 
machinery is doing the work of making chairs in all these shops. 

Aside from constructing a chair in the shop, there is another 
part of the Avork, that of seating or caning the bottoms and 
backs, which is done by women and children, in the homes of 
the citizens of this and oUier towns,. while the firm of Heywood 
Brothers & Co., as some others, employ the hil)or of reform 
schools in this and other states. 

The seats, backs and cane, with which to fill these, are car- 
ried out to difierent places, by an agent of the company, whose 
duty it is to deliver the materials and keep an accurate account 
of what each one receives. When seated, these frames and 
backs are gathered up and returned to the shop, where they are 
packed away ready for future use. Thus employment is fur- 
nished to a large number of our population, which is quite re- 
munerative. When the required work has been done to the 



fflSTOHY OF GARDNER. 183 

chnirs in the shop devoted to their construetion, they are then 
loaded upon a hand-car, which is drawn up by the elevator 
to the dift'erent rooms. This car, having received its freight, 
is lowered and run out of the shop, and across the street to the 
extensive paint shop, where the chairs are painted and var- 
nished ; after which they are " knocked down" and placed in 
boxes, ready for shipping to their destination. 

If the chairs are to be shipped " in the wood," as it is called, 
they are knocked down without being painted, and packed in 
such an orderly manner in boxes, that when they have reached 
the customer, they may, without difficulty, be " set up" again, 
ready for painting and varnishing at the paint shop of the dis- 
tant purchaser. 

Since the construction of the Boston, Barre and Gardner 
Railroad, the cars, of this company, can be placed for lading at 
the platform of this paint shop and loaded with the utmost con- 
venience, furnishing a most striking contrast, to the old method 
of transporting chairs to Boston and other places, by horse teams, 
with enormous wagons. 

An important l)ranch of the business of this firm, is its cane 
department, introduced within a few years. The cane is im- 
ported by an agent of the company residing in New York, 
directly from Singapore. Having been brought, upon the cars, 
directly to the shops of the company, it passes through several 
difierent processes of preparation, before it is fitted for the use 
of seating chairs. Coming in bundles, it is first unbound, 
sorted and then straightened upon a wheel attached to an up- 
right piece of wood, over which, it is passed. The joints 
of the cane are then scraped, by passing it, through a ma- 
chine, designed expressly for that purpose. When this has 
been done, the cane is placed in long, square, revolving boxes, 
filled with water in which it is allowed to remain for half an 
hour or more. It is then ready for splitting. 

This process is accomplished by passing the cane rod through 
a machine, its knives so constructed, that they split the stock 
into from five to nine strands. When thus split, the pith of 



184 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

the caue passes on through a central aperture, surrounded by 
the knives, while the strands are thrown off, and removed by a 
boy in attendance. After this the strands are gauged and 
shaved in another machine. They are then counted out into 
bunches of a thousand each, while these bunches are tied up in 
bundles of ten, and placed in the bleaching room, where b}^ the 
action of burning brimstone they are whitened for their jjroper 
place in the cane seat or cane back chair. 

Much of this cane, is used by the Hey wood Brothers & Co., 
while almost all the chair shops, in this region receive their sup- 
ply of cane from this source. The Heywood Brothers & Co. 
are also engaged in the manufacture of a great variety of rattan 
chairs of tasteful and beautiful construction. The frames of 
these chairs are made at the wood shop, of light and delicate 
patterns. They are then taken, to the upper room of the large 
paint shop, where men, women and boys are engaged in 
clothing them, in the beautiful garb, with which they are 
adorned. Grass work of delicate finish, is also made in this 
room, and many fancy articles of household furnishing. This 
branch of industry is a necessary out-ofrowth of the cane l)usi- 
ness already described, the object of it, being, in part to work 
up and utilize some portions of the cane not required in cane 
seated chairs. 

There is also another shop of this company, where the weav- 
ing of the web for the woven seat chair is done. Also a 
machine shop in which most of the machinery used in the other 
shops is made. There is also a varnish shop for the manufac- 
ture of the varnish used in painting the chairs of the company. 
There are in all, connected with the business of this company, 
twenty-two buildings scattered over about nine acres of land 
and actually covering an aggregate area of four and one-half 
acres. 

Contrasted with its small beginning, in the shop of Mr. 
James M. Comee, the chair business, in thistown, has confess- 
edly made an enormous advance, out-weighing the aggregate 
of all other kinds of business done among us, and is the result 



HISTORY OF GARDj^ER. 185 

of the industry, enterprise and frugality of men, who, begin- 
ning with little or no pecuniary means, have gone on steadily 
from year to year, till they have reached their present position 
of competence and atHuence, and in some instances, cosmopoli- 
tan reputation. 

FOUNDRY. 

Closely allied to the chair business, of the town, and almost 
a necessity to its convenience, is the foundry of the Hey wood 
Foundry Company. 

This firm beijan business December 1st, 1876. Their build- 
ing, is of brick, the main part being two stories in height, with 
a molding room extending from the main part, whose dimen- 
sions are eighty by fifty feet, the main building being fifty by 
fifty feet. The business done here, is making castings for all 
machines, including railroad castings. The company are also 
engaged in the manufacture of cooking stoves, of a popular pat- 
tern. The furnace has a capacity for melting two tons of iron 
per day, and consumes about eight hundred pounds of coal 
daily, while four hundred pounds are consumed in running the 
engine of thirty-five horse power, and in the core works. This 
foundry is remarkable for the convenience of its location, being 
situated near the track of the Boston, Barre and Gardner Rail- 
road, from which there are extended two tracks, one running 
upon the upper side of the foundry, for the purpose of unload- 
ing the stock used in the works easily, into the building, on a 
level with the cars, and the other track, about twelve feet lower, 
upon the opposite side of the building, for the cars upon which 
are shipped the manufactured goods. 

In the upper story of the main building, is the machine shop 
of Messrs. McKnight & Carter, whose room has a capacity of 
fifty by twenty feet. Upon the opposite side, is a carpenter's 
shop and the office of the company. Capital required in this 
business is $15,000. The amount of business done annually is 
$30,000. 

24 



18() HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



TUBS AND PAILS. 

There is but one luanuiMetoiy oF this sort in the town, (hat of 
A. Bancroft & Co., situated in the southwesterly part of the 
town. This business was coniineuced in 183(5, by Mr. Amasa 
Bancroft. The present tirni consists of Messrs. Amasa Ban- 
croft and his son-in-law John C. Bryant, whose partnership 
was formed in 18()f). This (irm manufactures annually, ten 
thousand nests of tubs, of, from two to eig'ht tubs, to the nest, 
vidued at $20,000. The number of pails manufactured, an- 
nually, is thirty thousand, valued at $5,000, making the total 
amount of business per annum $25,000. The number of oper- 
atives employed by this lirm, is eighteen. There is also con- 
nected with the business of this lirm, a saw mill, in which is 
prepared a portion of the stock, used in the manufacture of 
tubs and pails. This company deal in lumber prepared by 
themselves, aside from sawing for others. 

MANUFACTURE OF LUMBER. 

There are two mills, doing business of this sort, in town, 
that of Mr. Marcus Wright, in South Gardner, who employs 
fifteen operatives and whose business is $18,000, annually, wi{h 
a required capital of $12,000, and a water power of seventy-five 
horses ; and that of Dr. David Parker, in the westerly jiart of 
the town, who employs eight operatives. The capital required 
is $8000. The amount of business done being $12,000 annually. 
A water power of fifty horses alone, is used. 

MANUFACTORY OF DOLL TOY CARRIAGES, CHAMBER 

SETS, ETC. 

The only firm of this kind, in town, is that of Messrs. Rams- 
dell & Goodale, Avho do a business, annually, amounting to 
$18,000, employing twenty operatives. The capital required 
is $12,000. Water power, only, is used by this firm. 



IimTOllY OF GAJWNEIL 187 



MANLJ'ACTURE OF JvAVK TROUGHS, GTTTTKRS AS\) 
CONJJCC'IOKS. 

This business is conducted by Messi-s. C. O. & K. A. Stone 
Brothers, their business amounts to about $3,fj00 a year, (jap- 
ital invested, $4000. 

SJ'RING VAA) MAXUFACTL'RKR. 

Mr. George J^. Rawson is tiie only manufactui'er of" this artichi 
in the town, at the present time. 

FURNITURE DEALERS AN J; UNDERTAKERS. 

There are t\v'(; furniture rooms in this town, tliat of Mi-. S. 
K. J^i( ice in South Gardner and that of Mr. E. Alexander 
at the Centre. Each of tljese gentlemen is also an undertaker. 

manufacturf:r.s of tin ware. 

Messrs. Jaqiiith & Richardson are largely engaged in this 
business, in this town. This business was formei'ly con- 
ducted in Templeton. Jn 1877, Mr. liichaidson, forming a 
partnership with Mr. Jaquilh, of the above named towji, they 
removed the large shop, formeily owned by Messrs. Smith and 
Jaquith, of Templeton, to its present site, beside the track of 
the Fitchburg Railroad Company, near their depot in Gardner, 
where they afe now engaged, in an extensive business, consisting 
of paper stock, metals, manufacture of tin ware, and are also 
joljbcrs of wooden, glass and plated ware. The capital invested 
is $16,000. '^I'he amount of business annually, $35,000. 

HARDWARE DEALERS. 
There are two hardware stores in this town, one of these, is 
that owned by Mr. George F. Ellsworth, in South Gardner. 
Mr. Ellsworth commenced business in this place, in 1851, in a 
shop known as the old Newbury shop, then standing near the 
house now occupied by Mr. Abram Sawin. At the commence- 
ment of his business career, Mr. Ellsworth devoted himself 
exclusively, to the manufacture of chair tools, bits, etc., making' 



188 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

the manufacture of bits, a specialty, for wliich, at that time and 
ever since, there has been a steady and increasing demand all 
over the country. After working at this business about three 
years, Mr. Ellsworth began to add, to the goods of his own 
manufacture, certain other classes, in the same line. His capi- 
tal being somewhat limited, at that time, he was obliged to 
govern himself accordingly, in his purchases. In the year 1854, 
he brought from Boston, in a good sized leather valise, the first 
invoice of goods, with which he commenced business, the value 
of which amounted to sixty dollars, consisting of files, gouges, 
bits, &c. This valise, on account of its unusuyl weight, served 
as a matter of astonishment to the baggage smashers who, per- 
haps, apprehensive that it might contain something of a dan- 
gerous or explosive nature, lifted it very carefully, depositing 
it in the basrsrage car. 

The goods contained in this valise were immediately exposed, 
by Mr. Ellsworth, for sale, and were all sold within a week, 
when more were immediately ordered. Mr. Ellsworth continued 
increasing his stock, as fast as his limited accommodations 
would permit. In 1857 he erected a portion of the store which 
he now occupies for stoves and tin ware, the size of which was 
eighteen by twenty-four feet, supposing that this would be suf- 
ficiently large, for both store and workshop. However, after 
occupying these quarters for three years, he begaJi to feel that 
the place was again too straight for him, thereupon he deter- 
mined to enlarge his building by an addition of eighteen by 
twenty-four feet, making it double its original size. While in 
the process of constructing this addition, one of the leading 
men, of an adjoining town, wondering at the temerity of Mr. 
Ellsworth, and ignorant of the business capacity of Gardner, 
inquired of him, if he thought there would be demand enough, 
for his line of goods, in this town, to warrant his filling such a 
store. It was, however, only three or four years before his 
business had airain out-2:rown its accommodations, which were 
once thought to be enough and to spare, so that, in 1868, Mr. 
Ellsworth built the store he now occupies, the size of which 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 189 

is sixty by forty feet, two stories high, with burn attached, 
which is also fort}^ by sixty feet, nearly one-half of Avhich is 
used for store room. Thus commencing business, with a stock 
of goods, all of which could be contained in a medium sized 
leather valise, Mr. Ellsworth has steadily increased the same 
till, at the present time, his business equals, if not exceeds, 
in variety and value, that of any similar store in Worcester 
County. One department of this business, is hardware ; another 
crockery, china, plated ware, chandeliers, brackets and table 
lamps ; the third department contains a well manufactured stock 
of stoves and tin ware. 

The other store is that owned by Mr. Amasa Bancroft, 2d, 
upon Chestnut Street, who keeps the usual variety of goods 
found, in similar stores, and employs a number of workmen. 
Mr. Bancroft has, for several years, been engaged in this busi- 
ness, very successfully. 

MANUFACTURE OF BRICK. 

There are two brick manufactories at the present time, in this 
town. One is that owned and operated by Messrs. ET. N. Dyer 
& Son. The number of bricks made annually by this firm, is 
six hundred thousand. The other party engaged in this busi- 
ness, is Mr. Abijah Hinds, whose annual production of bricks, 
is four hundred thousand, making the number of bricks manu- 
factured yearly, one million. 

GRIST MILL. 

The parties engaged in this business are Messrs. Howe Broth- 
ers. Their mill is situated in the southwesterly part of the 
town and is the only one in town. They also have a flour and 
grain store near the depots. Capital invested in their business, 
is $11,500. Amount of business done annually is $35,000. 

MARBLE WORKER. 

Mr. Thomas J. Staflbrd is the only gentleman engaged in the 
manufacture of monuments, head-stones and tablets in this town, 
at the present time. 



190 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

WHEELWRIGHTS. 

The following gentlemen are engaged in the wheelwright 
business : Messrs. Henry M. Banister and E. Saunders. 

BLACKSMITHS. 

The town is well supplied with blacksmiths. The following 
named gentlemen are engaged in this business : Messrs. Fran- 
cis P. Learned, L. Sawin & Son, J. S. Cox, William W. Cas- 
well and John Tighe. 

HOUSE AND CARRIAGE PAINTERS. 

The following gentlemen are engaged in house and carriage 
painting : William H. Wilder, house painter ; E. H. Totting- 
ham, carriage and sign painter; C. S. Knights, house painter; 
William Barratt, house painter; J. G. Cashin, chair painter. 

HARNESS MAKERS. 

There are two harness shops in town, that of George E. 

Godfrey, who is also a dealer in robes, trunks, etc., and that of 

Roderic L. Bent, whose business is chiefly making and repairing 

harnesses. 

CARPENTERS. 

The first carpenter, of any prominence, in this town, was 
Joseph Bacon, whose skill evinces itself in the bill of lumber 
which he prepared for the construction of the first meeting- 
house, as will be seen by reference to the chapter on ecclesias- 
tical history, in this work. At present there are two contractors 
eno-ao-ed in this business in this town, Mr. B. F. Mason and 

Mr. M. M. Favor. 

MASONS. 

Messrs. Harris & Coleman are the only masons in this town. 
Mr. Harris carried on this business for a long time alone, until 
within a few years, he has been associated with Mr. Coleman. 
The faithfulness of Mr. Harris' work, is everywhere apparent 
throughout the town. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 191 

JEWELERS. 
There are three jewelers in this town, Messrs. Henry L. 
Graham, Henry E. Woodberry and J. F. Cook. 

CIVIL ENGINEERS AND SURVEYORS OF LAND. 

Mr. Aaron Greenwood has, for many years, been engaged as 
a surveyor of hmd in this, and other towns. Mr. Charles J. 
Day is employed as engineer, by the Boston, Barre and Gard- 
ner Railroad Company. This gentleman has an office in this 
town, and is the maker of the maps, which accompany this 

work. 

PHOTOGRAPHERS. 

There are two photographic rooms in this town, that of Mr. 
Warren P. Allen, established in 1865, and that of Mr. William 
A. Cowee, established December 1st, 1874. Both of these 
gentlemen have pleasant and attractive rooms and an encourag- 
ing patronage. Mr. Allen does a large business in photograph- 
ing chairs, for the different firms in town, while Mr. Cowee 
makes a specialty of stereoscopic views. The negatives of the 
views accompanying this work, were taken by Mr. Cowee. 

ENGRAVER OF WOOD AND METALS. 

Mr. Henry L. Murdock is a skillful engraver of wood and 
metals. His art is well appreciated by his patrons, who are 
numerous. 

FLORICULTURE. 

This branch of industry, was established, in 1874, by Mr. 
Henry L. Murdock. His plant house now covers eleven hun- 
dred and twenty feet, aside from a space of five hundred square 
feet, used for germinating plants, in the spring. The arrange- 
ments for conducting this business are very convenient, and 
show much taste on the part of the proprietor. Mr. Murdock 
cultivates a great variety of plants, for both the wholesale and 
retail market. It is complimentary to the citizens of the town, 
that such an industry is so well encouraged. 



192 HISTORY OF GAllDNER. 

DEALERS IN COAL AND LUMBER. 

The first ear load of eoal, for consumption in this town, was 
introdiieed in 18(10, by Mr. Ezra Osgood and was retaikxl by 
him at $12.50 per ton. There has been a gradual increase from 
year to year in the consumption of coal, till at the present time, 
the amount sold by Mr. Osgood alone, is four thousand tons 
annually, at a valuation of between $30,000 and $35,000. Mr. 
Osgood is also engaged in the sale of lumber, his business in 
this department amounting to $5,000, annually. Mr. Chester B. 
Kendall is also engaged in the same business. He sells annually, 
fifteen hundred tons of coal and five hundred cords of wood. 
Amount of business annually, $12,000. 

DRY GOODS AND GROCERIES. 

The first store, at the Centre of the town, was that kept by 
Mr. Jonathan Prescott, as far back as 1793. This store stood 
upon the site now occupied by the hay scales, in front of the 
Central House. Subsequently, Mr. Prescott built the house 
now owned by Mr. Francis Richardson, connected with which, 
was a store and barn. This store was, afterwards, owned by 
Messrs. B. F. Hey wood, Walter Hey wood and Gen. Moses 
Wood. These gentlemen then built a store, on what is now 
the corner of Elm and Pearl streets, near the curve in the stone 
fence of Mr, Levi Heywood, just north of his house. This 
store was afterwards moved to Spring Street, where it now 
forms the Crystal Lake Hotel. Originally, there was a store, 
at South Gardner, where stands the hotel, owned by Mr. Adams 
Noyes. 

The following parties are engaged in the business of dry 
goods and groceries. Their names are here given, with the 
amounts of capital invested, and business done annually: S. 
W. A. Stevens & Son, dry goods and groceries, capital, $6,500 ; 
amount of business, $30,000 ; William Whittemore & Son, 
dry goods and groceries, capital $6,000, amount of business 
$25,000 ; Milo Hartwell, flour, grain and groceries, capital 



s»^ 




HISTORY OF GABDNER. 193 

$1,500, amount of business, $15,000; Gardner Sovereigns Co- 
operative Association, groceries, capital, $1,800, business, $24,- 
000; S. S. Lane, groceries, capital, $3,000; E. A. Lusk, gro- 
ceries, capital, $600; William L. Shattuck, groceries, capital, 
$1,200 ; Frank Conant, dry goods and groceries, capital, $5,000 ; 
Thomas Glasheen, groceries, capital, $1,100; John Byron, gro- 
ceries, capital, $1,000. 

MEAT MARKETS. 

The town is supplied at the present time, with three meat 
markets. One kept by Mr. C. W. Morse, who h;is been in the 
business, in this town, twenty-nine years; another kept by Mr. 
Alvin Matthews, and a third at South Gardner, kept by Roder- 
ic P. Adams. 

DRY GOODS. 

Stratton Brothers, diy goods, millinery, dressmaking and 
carpets, capital invested, $15,000, business, $50,000; William 
J. Drenning, dry goods, capital invested, $2,500. 

MILLINERY. 

The following are the millinery establishments in this town : 
Mrs. M. E. Priest, Mrs. H. J. Hunt, Mrs. A. R. Jaquith, 
Mrs. P. A. Adams. 

TOYS AND FANCY GOODS. 

Edwin H. Cady and Albert E. Robbins are dealers in toys 
and fancy goods. The former also conducts a sewing ma- 
chine agency, and the latter has established a circulating library 
in the West Village. 

CLOTHING STORES. 

H. L. Ballard, capital invested, $6,500; J. L. Alger, Jr., 
capital invested, $4,000; H. A. Earns worth & Co., capital in- 
vested, $4,000. 

MERCHANT TAILORS. 

There are but two gentlemen engaged in this business in 
town, Mr. Jonathan L. Alger and Mr. G. AV. Black. 

25 



194 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



DEALERS IN BOOTS AND SHOES. 

Josiah J. Dunn, capital invested, $8,000; F. Blodgett ; Eli 
Hunting-, capital invested, $3,500 ; J. K. Axtell, capital in- 
vested, $3,000. 

DRUGS AND MEDICINES. 

G. W. Garland, M. D., capital invested, $3,500 ; J. Emerson, 
M. D., capita] invested, $2,500; L. W. Brown & Son, capital 
invested, $3,500. 

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF GARDNER. 

The First National Bank of Gardner was established in 1864, 
with a capital of $100,000, chiefly subscribed by the citizens of 
Gardner. The first meeting was held on the 25th of February, 
1865, at the Lower Town Hall. Mi-. Charles Hey wood was 
chosen chairman, and Mr. Francis Richardson clerk, of the 
meeting. The following named gentlemen constituted the first 
board of directors : Levi H. Sawin, Seth Hey wood, C. S. 
Greenwood, Levi Heywood, John Edgell, S. W. A Stevens, 
Francis Richardson, Amasa Bancroft, of Gardner, John F. 
Woodward of Hubbardston, Joel Merriam of Westminster, 
Edwin Sawyer of Templeton. Mr. Amasa Bancroft was chosen 
first president of the bank, and Mr. John D. Edgell the first 
and to the present time, the only cashier. March 27th, 1876, 
Mr. Volney W. Howe was chosen assistant cashier. In 1875, 
the capital stock was increased to $150,000. 

The dividends of this bank, from its commencement to July, 
1876, were ten per cent, per annum, when they dropped to eight 
per cent., payable semi-annually. The amount of bills now in 
circulation is $102,600. The average amount of deposits, about 
$100,000 for the six months, ending January 1st, 1878. Li 
1868 the stockholders erected the building, which the bank 
now occupies. In 1872, Mr. Charles Heywood was chosen pres- 
ident, in place of Mr. Amasa Bancroft, which position he now 
holds. The following named gentlemen are the present board 
of directors : Francis Richardson, Levi Heyw^ood, Henry C. 



HISTORY OF QARDJ^ER. 195 

Hill, Seth Heywood, John Edgell, Philandei' Derby, Charles 
Heywood, Augustus Kiiowlton, Roderic L. Bent, Thos. Green- 
wood and Charles W. Conaut. Under the wise and judicious 
management of its presidents and board of directors, this bank 
has, from the beginning, enjoyed more than the average amount 
of prosperity, there having been but few losses, so that to-day it 
stands strong, in the confidence of the community. 

GARDNER SAVINGS BANK. 
The Gardner Savings Bank was organized June 22d, 1868, 
Mr. Francis Richardson was chosen first secretary, Mr. Charles 
Heywood was elected first president and Mr. John D. Edgell 
treasurer. Upon the first week, after the opening of the bank, 
the deposits amounted to $4, 328. 50. The first of January, 
1878, the deposits, in the bank, amounted to $613,613.78. The 
amount of money deposited, since the organization of the bank 
is $1,291,413.58. Number of deposits since organization, 25,- 
330. Mr. Henry C. Hill was chosen president of this bank, in 
place of Mr. Charles Heywood, June 26th, 1876. Mr. Hill 
died Februar}^ 13th, 1878, having served the bank, as its pres- 
ident, ibr nearly two years, with great faithfulness and finnncial 
ability. Tlie presidency is now vacant. June 23d, 1<S77, Mr. 
Volney \\ . Howe was chosen secietaiy. The loans of this bank 
upon real estate, are mostly in Gardne)'. The bank has been 
fortunate, not having met with any losses. It stands strong and 
seciu'e, in the confidence of the comniunit}-, and is of great as- 
sistance to the growth of the town. 

POST OFFICES. 
For quite a number of years after the incorporation of the 
town, there was no regularly established post office within its 
limits. The citizens in various parts of the town, received 
their mail and posted their letters in the adjoining towns, 
nearest to their places of residence. After some years, a post 
ofiice was established at South Gardner, the mail being brought 
to that place, by the stage, that ran between Brattleboro' and 
Boston. In the Centre of the town, there was no post office 



196 HISTORY OF GAllDNEll. 

until about the year 1827, at which time, a small office was 
established in a private residence, the few letters, which came to 
this part of the town, being brought from the office at South 
Gardner. So few were these letters, they could be placed in a 
small frame, with a glass door, where they were retained, by 
strips of tape, for the inspection of all visitors. 

As indicative of the steady growth of the town, in popula- 
tion and business, we give the following statistics regarding the 
post offices, in Gardner and South Gardner : The post office, 
in Gardner, has, since Januar}' 8th, 1873, been under the 
charge of Miss Sarah E. Richardson, who has efficiently con- 
ducted its affiiirs, to the general satisfaction of the public. 
During the year 1877, there were sold, at this office, eighty-five 
thousand postage stamps, sixteen thousand postal cards and 
eighteen thousand stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers. 
The gross receipts, at this office, in 1867, were $1,628.94, the 
salary and expenses, $770, and the net revenue to the post 
office department, $558.94, while for the year 1877, the gross 
receipts were $2,817.59, salary and expenses, $1,250 and the net 
revenue $1,567.59, showing that the gross receipts, in ten years, 
at this office, have more than doubled, and that the net income, 
to the government, has nearly trebled. 

The South Gardner post office has, for several years, been in 
charge of S. W. A. Stevens, Esq., who has, for man}' j^ears, 
conducted a successful grocery and dry goods business, in this 
place, aud is eminently satisfactory to the public, in the capacity 
of postmaster. The gross receipts at this office for 1867, were 
$677.68, salary and expenses, $400, and the net revenue, $277.- 
68. In 1877, the gross receipts were $1,183.79, the salary and 
expenses $711.89 and net revenue to the government, $471.90. 
These figures, so far as the nature of the case permits, arc one 
of the indications of growth in the town. 

PRINTING. 

About the middle of October, 1868, Mr. A. G. Bushnell, 
formerly of Templeton, opened the first printing office in this 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 197 

town. His office, occupied one room only, in the third story 
of the new Bank building. Here he worked, unaided by any 
one, till the following spring, when, his business having suffi- 
ciently increased to warrant it, he employed one assistant. 
During the spring of 1869, the project, of establishing a weekly 
newspaper, was agitated. For the purpose of encouraging and 
organizing this important enterprise, Mr. Charles Heywood 
became associated Avith Mr. Bushnell, in business, at that time, 
under the firm name of A. G. Bushnell & Co., each member 
furnishing one-half of the capital. It was, however, under- 
stood, that Mr. Heywood would not be actively engaged in the 
business. This relation still continues. 

The prospectus for a weekly paper, to be called the Gardner 
News, was issued, immediately, without a single subscriber 
being previously .secured, or a dollar of patronage solicited, in 
advance. The first number of this paper, made its appearance 
on the morning of July 3d, 18(59. It was a sheet of four pages, 
whose dimensions were twenty-two by thirty-two inches, and 
contained twenty-four columns. The subscription was two dol- 
lars per annum. The News had, upon its first issue, three 
hundred and fifty subscribers. The following is the first edito- 
rial, which we insert here to show that the editor began his 
enterprise, with hopefulness and courage, also that the reader 
may see how well he has endeavored to redeem his pledges : — 

" In presenting to our patrons this, the first number of our 
paper, it ma}^ be expected that something should be said in 
regard to the course we mean to pursue. We cannot make 
great promises for the future, yet it will be our aim to furnish 
our readers from week to week, with fresh and reliable local 
news and items of interest, and also the general news of the 
day. In our selections of miscellaneous articles, we shall en- 
deavor to give those not readily accessible to the majority of 
our subscribers, and which shall not have reached them throuo-h 
the columns of the daily press. Since the issue of our pro- 
spectus, the question, ' What will be the politics of your paper?' 
has been asked us very many times. In reply we have only to 



198 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

say that we shall not advocate the ideas and principles of any 
particular party. Whatever we publish will be entirely inde- 
pendent, and, we hope, from time to time, to furnish our read- 
ers with well written articles on the various interesting topics 
of the day. 

"The project of a weekly local paper in this vicinity, is a new 
one; it has not been very long in contemplation. We are 
starting at a time of the year when there is a scarcity of inter- 
estino' local news. Our arranofements for collecting local infor- 
mation, are, as 3^et, l)ut partially perfected. But we wish our 
patrons to feel that we are in earnest, and shall labor for the 
success of this enterprise. We ask their co-operation and en- 
couragement, and with them, we feel that we can issue a sheet 
which will be readable and acceptable to this community." 

The increasing patronage, soon warranted a reduction, of the 
subscription price, to one dollar and fifty cents, which was made 
at the expiration of six months from the date of the first issue. 
October 1st, 1870, the News was enlarged, to a sheet of twenty- 
four by thirty-six inches, by the addition of one column to each 
page. But, such were the increasing demands, upon its col- 
umns, that this enlargement was found to be insufficient, so 
that, on January 4th, 1873, another enlargement was made, 
making a sheet of twenty-seven by forty-one inches, contain- 
ing thirty-two columns, which are its present dimensions. From 
the day of its first publication, the News has been constantly 
increasing in its subscription list, till, at the present date, it 
has a weekly issue of about seventeen hundred copies. 

As a local, weekly paper, the Gardner News is a sheet of 
which the citizens of this town may well be proud. Its edito- 
rials are generally far above the average of similar papers, 
being broadly intelligent of events of great importance, through- 
out the accessible parts of the world, not hesitating to express 
honest convictions, upon matters of morals and religion, inde- 
pendently criticising our public servants, in the state and national 
legislature, laboring for the promotion of the highest interest 
of the town, in advocating and advancing all projects for local 



HI8T0EY OF GARDNER. 199 

improvements, unci are often quoted with evident satisfaction, 
by papers of no less importance than the Springfield Republi- 
can. The editor is a hard working, self-made man, who, with- 
out an hour's apprenticeship, has acquired a thorough knowl- 
edge of his business, whose hio;best ambition is to make his 
work satisfactory to his patrons, by giving them faithful and 
acceptable services, in return for the patronage bestowed. The 
work of Mr. Bushnell, in printing this History, furnishes good 
evidence of his ability, as a printer. The business of the job 
department of this office, has been constantly increasing, necessi- 
tating the frequent addition of new machinery and materials, 
so that, with the exception of a single room, it now requires 
the use of the entire floor of the third story of the Bank 
building and employs five operatives, aside from the editor. 
Considering the size of the town, the office of the Gardner 
News, is Avorthy of mention, for its magnitude, its variety of 
work, the excellence of its mechanical execution, its orderly 
arrangement, and general appearance of neatness. 

We have sought, in this chapter, to give, as accurately as we 
could obtain it, a true statement of the industries of this town. 
We are aware that we have undertaken a diiBcult and laborious 
task, in the performance of which, it is quite easy to make 
many mistakes, in view of which possibilities, we invoke the 
considerate judgment of those most interested in what has now 
been stated. 



200 HISTOEY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

GOVEKA'OKS, KEPKESENTATIVES, TOWN OFFICERS, JUSTICES OF 
THE PEACE, ETC. 

And Absalom yaid moreover, Oh tluvt I were made jiulge in the hind, that 
every man which hath any snit or cause, miirht come unto me, and I would do 
him justice ! 

And it was so that when any man t'ame uijih to him, to do him obeisance, 
he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. 

And, on this manner, did Absalom to all Israel, that came to the king for 
judgment. So Al)salom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 

— 2 Sannu'l, 15:4, 5, G. 
He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he 
shall bo as the light of the morning, wlien the sun riseth, even a morning 
without clouds, as the tencler grass, springing out of the earth, by clear shin- 
ing after rain. — 2 Samuel, 23 :o, 4. 

Wherefore also the legislator ought often to impress upon himself the cpies- 
tion — What do I want? Do I attain my aim, or do I miss the mark? — Plato. 
For j\ist experience tells in every soil, 

That thosc that think must govern those that toil. — Goldsmith. 
Of the law, ther- .can be no less acknowledged, than that her seat is the 
bosom of God, he. voice the harmony of the worUl.—Jiislidp liichard Ilouker. 
Curse on all laws, but those which love has made. — Popp. 
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness 
thrust upon them — Twelfth Xitjht, Act. II., Scene. V. 
I awoke one morning and found myself famous. — Buron. 

I have touched the highest point of all my greiituess; 

And from the full meridian of my glory 

I haste now to my setting; I shall fall 

Like a bright exhalation, in the evening, 

And no man se(> me more. 

Corruption wins not more than honesty. 

— Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII., Act III, Scene II. 

IN this chapter will be found, the names of the difterent 
candidates for governor of the state for their respective 
years, the number of votes each man had, and the name of the 
successful candidate, plainly indicated ; also the names of the 
representatives of the town or district to the General Court, 
from the year 1785 to the present date ; also names of town 
officers, justices of the peace, member of constitutional con- 
vention and state senator. 



HISTOllY OF GAIiDNER. 



201 



VOTES FOR GOVERNOR. 

The following are the votes for Governor, from the organiza- 
tion of the town, to the present time. Those marked with an * 
were the successful candidates : 



1786. 


* James Bowdoiu . . 


.. 1.0 


1787. 


*Jolin Hancock . . . 


.. 29 


1788. 


Elbridge Geriy. . . . 


. . IG 


1781). 


*John Hancock . . . 


.. 29 


1790. 


*.John Hancock . . . 


.. 19 


1791. 


*.John Hancock . . . 


. . 24 


1792. 


*Johu Hancock . . . 


.. 26 


1793. 


*Jolin Hancock . . . 


.. 27 


1794. 


*8amuel Adams. . . 


.. 18 



1795. *8amuel Adams. 

179G. Increase .Sunnier 

1797. James Sullivan. . 

1798. *Incrcase Sumner 

1799. *Increase Sumner 

1800. Elbridge Gerry. . 

IHOI. *Caleb Stron;r . . 

1 802. *Caleb Strong . . 

1803. *Caleb Strong . . 

1804. *Caleb Strong . . 

1805. *Caleb Strong . . 

1806. *Caleb Strong . . 

1807. Caleb Strong . . . 

1808. Christopher Gore 

1809. *Christopher Gon 

1810. Christopher Gore 

1811. Christopher Gore 

1812. *Caleb Strong . . 

1813. *Caleb Strong . . 

26 



32 
30 

19 
42 
37 
30 

54 

71 

50 

59 

7.5 

104 

105 

99 

104 

106 

99 

111 

119 



.James Bowdoin 1 

Benj. Lincoln 1 

*John Hancock 11 

James Bowdoiu 2 

.James Bowdoin 1 



Samuel Phillips 14 

Elbridge Gerry 7 

William Cushing 2 

Samuel Phillips 2 

Moses Gill 1 

*Samuel Adams 5 

*Increase Sumner 16 

A\'illiam Heath 4 

*Caleb Strong 12 

Moses Gill 2 

Elbridge Gerry 15 

Elbridge Gerry 19 

lOlbridge Gerry 2 

.James Sullivan 10 

.James Sullivan 22 

.James Sullivan 18 

*.James Sullivan 23 

*.James Sullivan 22 

Levi Lincoln 29 

*Elbridge Gerry 34 

*Elbridge Gerry 37 

I<21bridge Gerry 35 

Joseph B. Varnum 28 



202 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



1814. *Caleb Strong 119 

1815. *Caleb Strong 117 

1816. *John Brooks Ill 

1817. *Jolm Brooks Ill 

1818. *John Brooks 96 

1819. *John Brooks 103 

1820. -'-'John Brooks 98 

1821. *,John Brooks 95 

1822. *John Brooks 101 

1823. Harrison G. Otis 100 

1824. Samuel Lathrop 104 

1825. *Levi Lincoln 68 

1826. James Llojd 87 

1827. *Levi Lincoln 65 

1828. *Levi Lincoln 76 

1829. Samuel Allen 34 

1830. No record. 

1831. *Levi Lincoln 70 

1832. *Levi Lincoln 55 

1833. -^-'Levi Lincoln 98 

1834. *John Davis 105 

1835. *Jolm Davis 112 

1836. *Edward Everett 106 

1837. No record. 

1838. *Edward Everett 141 

1839. -•'Edward Everett 150 

1840. Edward Everett 125 

1841. *John Davis 191 

1842. *John Davis 165 

1843. John Davis 124 

1844. --George N. Briggs . . 129 

1845. *George N. Briggs . . 135 



Samuel Dexter 31 

Samuel Dexter 29 

Samuel Dexter 32 

Henry Dearborn 32 

Benj. "W. Crowninshield 35 

Benj. W. Crowninshield 29 

William Eustis 26 

William Eustis 22 

William Eustis 25 

* William Eustis 31 

*William Eustis 29 

*Levi Lincoln 23 

William C Jarvis 5 

Thomas L. Wiuthrop 1 

■^'Levi Lincoln 11 

Marcus Morton 7 

Marcus Morton 12 

Marcus Morton 20 

Samuel Lathrop 1 

Samuel Lathrop 35 

Marcus Morton 12 

John Q,. Adams 36 

Marcus Morton 18 

John Bailey 27 

Marcus Morton 24 

Marcus Morton 56 

Marcus Morton 85 

Marcus Morton 74 

^Marcus Morton 87 

Marcus Morton 68 

Marcus Morton 60 

^Marcus Morton 73 

Samuel Sewell 28 

Marcus Morton 69 

Samuel P2. Sewell 15 

George Bancroft 70 

Samuel E. Sewell 22 



HISTOBY OF GABDNEH. 



203 



1846. *George N. Briggs . .107 

1847. *George N. Briggs.. 95 

1848. *George N. Briggs.. 110 

1849. Stephen C. Phillips. .162 

1850. Stephen C. Phillips. . 130 

1851. Stephen C. Phillips. .131 

1852. John G. Palfrey 118 

1853. Horace Mann 172 

1854. Henry Wilson 179 

1855. *Henry J. Gardner. .242 

1856. '-Henry J. Gardner.. 191 

1857. *Henry J. Gardner. .229 



1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1.^63. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 



*Natlianiel P. Banks. 177 
*Nathaniel P. Banks. 157 
*Nathaniel P. Banks. 198 



*John A. Andrew. 
*John A. Andrew. 
*John A. Andrew. 
*John A. Andrew. 
*John A. Andrew . 
*Alex. H. Bullock. . . 147 
*Alex. H. Bullock... 229 
*Alex. H. Bullock 
*William Claflin . 

*William Claflin 290 

*William Claflin 265 



.338 
.163 
.175 
.180 

.280 



.297 
.366 



t Isaac Davis 61 

Samuel E. Sewell 12 

Isaac Davis 35 

Samuel E. Sewell 26 

Caleb Gushing 31 

Samuel E. Sewell 31 

*George N. Bi'iggs 83 

Caleb Gushing 16 

*George N. Briggs 95 

George S. Boutwell 44 

George N. Briggs 78 

■"George S. Boutwell 29 

Robert C. Winthrop 110 

*George S. Boutwell 44 

*JohnH. Clifford 86 

Henry W. Bishop 41 

*Emory Washburn 81 

Henry W. Bishop 30 

Henry Wilson 49 

Emory Washburn 28 

Henry W. Bishop 23 

Julius Rockwell 92 

Erasmus D. Beach 56 

Erasmus D. Beach 56 

Luther Bell 14 

Henry J. Gardner 81 

Erasmus D. Beach 110 

Benj. F. Butler 164 

Erasmus D. Beach 146 

Isaac Davis 107 

Charles Devens, Jr 160 

Henry W. Paine 156 

Henry W. Paine 157 

Darius N. Couch 15 

Theodoi'e H. Sweetser 54 

John Q, Adams 260 

John Q. Adams 141 

John Q. Adams 1 70 

John Q. Adams 234 



204 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1872. *Wm. B. Washbura . 237 John Q. Adams 109 

Eobert C. Pitman 19 

1873. *Wm. B. Washburn. 407 F. W. Bird 104 

1874. t*Wm. B. Washburn237 William Smith 175 

1875. * William Gaston 337 Thomas Talbot 231 

1876. William Gaston 230 "'Alexander H. Rice 192 

John I. Baker 58 

C.F.Adams 6 

1877. *Alexander H. Rice .416 Charles F. Adams 306 

John I. Baker 52 

1878. *Alexander H. Rice .219 William Gaston 160 

Robert C. Pitman 76 

Wendell Phillips 28 

Delegate to the convention in 1853, to revise the constitution of Mas- 
sachusetts, Levi Heywood. 

State senator from Gardner in 1861, Thomas E. Glazier. 

Ill giving the votes for governor, we huve put the name 
having the highest number first, irrespective of party, or the 
success of the candidate. 

Previous to 1797 there was no distinct party organization. 
Various parties had sprung up, but they were founded on tem- 
porary questions, which soon passed away. About 1798 the 
Republican and Federal parties gradually came into being. The 
main question at issue was the power of the national govern- 
ment ; the Republican party taking the ground that tlie national 
government was only a compact, or confederacy of states, and 
carrying to the furthest extreme the doctrine of state sov- 
ereignty ; while the Federals contended for what was then 
termed, a " Strong Government." After the war of 1812 the 
Federal party gradually faded away, and under the administra- 
tion of James Munroe there was a political union, from which 
a new party arose, first called the National Republican, and 
afterwards Whig. This party, in the state and nation, were 

f Governor Washburn resigned his office April 29th, in consequence of hav- 
ing been elected Senator to Congi'ess, and Lieutenant-Governor Talbot offici- 
ated the remainder of the term. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 205 

opposed to the Democratic party. About the year 1826 the 
question of "American Slavery," began to be discussed in the 
North, and especially in Massachusetts, and although at first, it 
was a purely moral question, it finally took a political form, 
and a third party was formed, called the "Anti-Slavery party," 
which continued till 1848, when a new party was formed called 
the " Free-Soil party," which embraced most of the Anti-Slavery 
party, and the anti-slavery element of the Whig and Democratic 
parties. In 1857 the Republican party was formed in Massa- 
chusetts and most of the Northern states. The Whig party, 
gradually fjiding, finally became extinct in 1857 or 1858, since 
when the political parties of the state and nation, are the Ee- 
publican and Democratic. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

The following is a list of Justices of the Peace in this town 
since its organization : 

Aaron Wood, Lewis H. Bradford, John M. Moore, 

Simeon Leland, S. W. A. Stevens, C. W. Carter, 

Smyrna Glazier, Edward J. Sawyer, Charles Heywood, 

Asaph Wood, JL. W. Brown, *Ephraim D. Howe, 

*Francife Richardson, Thorley Collester, Thatcher B. Dunn, 

John Edgell, Rufus Newton, Leander C. Lynde, 

fThos. E. Glazier, John D. Edgell. 

TOWN OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES. 

1785. — Moderator, Capt. Elisha Jackson ; Town Clerk, Seth Heywood ; 
Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, Simon Gates, John 
Glazier, John White ; Assessors, Eh'sha Jackson, Samuel Stone, 
Simeon Gates, John Glazier, John White ; Treasurer, Seth Hey- 
wood. 

1786. — Moderator, Capt. Elisha Jackson ; Town Clerk, Capt. Joseph 
Bacon ; Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, Simon Gates, 
John Glazier, Joseph Bacon ; Assessors, Elisha Jackson, Joseph 
Bacon, Elijah Wilder ; Treasurer, Peter Goodale. 

♦Notary Public. fTrial Justice. JDeputy Sheriff. 



206 HI8T0RY OF GABBJ^FB. 

1787. — Moderator, John White; Town Clerk, Capt. Joseph Bacon; 
Selectmen, Setli Heywood, Elisha Jackson, David Nichols, David 
Comee, Nathan Green ; Assessors, Elisha Jackson, Seth Heywood, 
John White ; Treasurer, Seth Heywood. 

1788. — Modei-ator, Capt. Samuel Kelton ; Town Clerk, Capt Joseph 
Bacon ; Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, David Nichols, 
William Bickford, Peter Goodale ; Assessors, Jgseph Bacon, Seth 
Heywood, Ebenezer Howe ; Treasurer, Seth Heywood. 

1789. — Moderator, Ebenezer Howe ; Town Clerk, Capt. Joseph Bacon ; 
Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Samuel Stone, David Nichols, William 
Bickford, Ebenezer Howe ; Assessors, Elisha Jackson, Joseph 
Bacon, Ebenezer Howe ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1790. — Moderator, Capt. Samuel Kelton ; Town Clerk, Capt. Joseph 
Bacon ; Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Samuel Stone, 
David Nichols, Simon Gates ; Assessors, Joseph Bacon, Ebenezer 
Howe, Simon Gates ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1791. — Moderator, John White; Town Clerk, Capt. Joseph Bacon; 
Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Samuel Stone, Aaron 
Greenwood, Josiah Wheeler ; Assessors, Joseph Bacon, Ebenezer 
Howe, Elisha Jackson ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1792. — Moderator, Ebenezer Howe ; Town Clerk, Capt. Joseph Bacon ; 
Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Greenwood, 
David Foster, Joseph Payson ; Assessors, Reuben Haynes, Jona- 
than Wood, Jonathan Greenwood ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1793. — Moderator, Capt. Samviel Kelton, Town Clerk, Capt. Joseph 
Bacon ; Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Green- 
wood, David Foster, Joseph Payson ; Assessors, Reuben Haynes, 
Jonathan Wood, Jonathan Greenwood ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1794. — Moderator, Ebenezer Howe; Town Clerk, Jonathan Prescott ; 
Selectmen, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Greenwood, Reuben Haynes ; 
Assessors, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Greenwood, Reuben Haynes ; 
Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1795. — Moderator, Capt. Elisha Jackson ; Town Clerk, Jonathan Pres- 
cott ; Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Ebenezer Howe, Reuben Haynes ; 
Assessors, Ebenezer Howe, Elisha Jackson, Reuben Haynes ; 
Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 



HISTORY OF GABBJSrUB. 207 

1796. — Moderator, John Wliite ; Town Clerk, Jonatlian Prescott ; Se- 
lectmen, Renben Haynes, James Coolidge, Aaron Wood, Joshua 
AYhitney, Joel Wilder ; Assessors, Simeon Leland, Samuel JEdgell, 
William Whitney ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1797. — Moderator, Capt. Samuel Kelton ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben 
Haynes ; Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, James Coolidge, Reuben 
Haynes, Aaron Wood, Joshua Whitney ; Assessors, Simeon Le- 
land, Samuel Edgell, Williaiu Whitney ; Treasurer, Ebenezer 
Howe. 

1798. — Moderator, Capt. Samuel Kelton; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben 
Haynes ; Selectmen, Elisha Jackson, Reuben Haynes, Aaron Wood, 
Ebenezer Howe, Josliua Whitney ; Assessors, Jonathan Wood, 
Reuben Haynes, Ebenezer Howe ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Howe. 

1799.— Moderator, Col. Abel Kendall; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben 
Haynes; Selectmen, James Coolidge, Simeon Leland, Abel Ken- 
dall ; Assessors, William Whitney, Samuel Edgell, Lewis Glazier ; 
Treasurer, Smyrna Glazier, Esq. 

1800.— Moderator, Col. Abel Kendall; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben 
Haynes ; Selectmen, Jonathan Greenwood, Thomas Baker, Allen 
Perley ; Assessors, Reuben Haynes, William Whitney, Joseph 
Edgell ; Treasurer, Aaron Wood, Esq. 

1801. -^Moderator, Joseph Edgell ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, Jonathan Greenwood, Thomas Baker, Allen Perley ; 
Assessors, Reuben Haynes, Jonathan Wood, William Whitney ; 
Treasurer, Aaron Wood, Esq. 

1802.— Moderator, Col. Abel Kendall; Town Clerk. Capt. Reuben 
Haynes ; Selectmen, Samuel Stone, William Whitney, James 
Coolidge, Aaron Wood, Simeon Leland ; Assessors, Reuben 
Haynes, William Whitney, Abel Kendall ; Treasurer, Aaron 
Wood, Esq. 

1803.— Moderator, Col. Abel Kendall ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben 
Haynes ; Selectmen, Samuel Stone, James Coolidge, Simeon Le- 
land, Levi Fairbanks, Aaron Wood ; Assessors, William Whitney, 
Reuben Haynes, Josiah Conant ; Treasurer, Aaron Wood, Esq. 

1804, — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, Samuel Stone, James Coolidge, Simeon Leland, Aaron 
Wood, Joshua Whitney ; Assessors, Reuben Haynes, William 
Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. ; Ti'easurer, Lewis Glazier. 



208 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1805. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, Aaron Wood, William Whitney, William Bickford, 
Jr. ; Assessors, Reuben Haynes, Simeon Leland, Arna Bacon ; 
Treasurer, Lewis Glazier. 

1806. — Moderator, Col. Abel Kendall; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben 
Haynes ; Selectmen, Aaron Wood, William Whitney, William 
Bickford, Jr. ; Assessors, Aaron Wood, William Whitney, Wil- 
liam Bickford, Jr. ; Treasurer, Lewis Glazier ; Representative, 
Rev. Jonathan Osgood. 

1807. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
vSelectmen, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., Smyrna Gla- 
zier ; Assessors, AVilliam Whitney, William Bickford, Smyrna Gla- 
zier ; Treasurer, Lewis Glazier ; Representative, Rev. Jonathan 
Osgood. 

1808. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Capt, Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, William Whitney, Smyrna Glazier, Reuben Haynes ; 
Assessors, Lewis Glazier, William Bickford, Jr., Reuben Haynes; 
Treasurer, Lewis Glazier. 

1809. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, William Whitney, Smyrna Glazier, Reuben Haynes ; 
Assessors, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., Aaron Wood ; 
Treasurer, Lewis Glazier ; Representative, Aaron AVood, Esq. 

1810. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, William Whitney, Reubc-n Haynes, William Bickford, 
Jr. ; Assessors, Aaron Wood, William Whitney, William Bick- 
ford, Jr. ; Treasurer, Lewis Glazier : Representative, Aaron 
Wood, Esq. 

1811 — Moderator, Col. A. Kendall; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben 
Haynes ; Selectmen, William Bickford, Jr., Reuben Haynes, Noah 
Fairbanks; Assessors, Willicim Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., 
Simeon Leland ; Treasurer, Smyrna Glazier, Esq. ; Representa- 
tive, Aaron Wood, Esq. 

1812. — Moderator, Asa Hill ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; Se- 
lectmen, William Bickford, Jr., Reuben Haynes, Noah Fairbanks ; 
Assessors, William Bickford, Jr., Reuben Haynes, Smyrna Ban- 
croft ; Treasurer, Smyrna Glazier ; Representative, Aaron Wood, 
Esq. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 209 

1813. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, William Bickford, Jr., Smyrna Bancroft, James M. 
Comee ; Assessors, William Bickford, Jr., James Scollay, Smyrna 
Bancroft ; Treasurer. Smyrna Glazier, Esq. ; Representative, 
Aaron Wood, Esq. 

1814. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clei'k, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, William Bickford, Jr., Smyrna Bancroft, James M. 
Comee; Assessors, William Bickford, Jr., Smyrna Glazier, Smyr- 
na Bancroft ; Treasurer, Smyrna Glazier, Esq. ; Representative, 
William Bickford, Jr. 

1815. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes ; 
Selectmen, AVilliam Whitney, Smyrna Glazier, Aaron Wood ; As- 
sessors, William Whitney, James Scollay, Smyrna Glazier; Treas- 
urer, Asa Richardson ; Representative, William Bickford, Jr. 

1816. — Moderator, Asa Hill; Town Clerk, Capt. Reuben Haynes; Se- 
lectmen, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., James Scollay ; 
Assessors, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., James Scol- 
lay ; Treasurer, Asa Richardson ; Representative, William Whit- 
ney, Esq. 

1817. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Asa Richardson; Se- 
lectmen, William Bickford, Jr., Adam Partridge, Levi Priest; As- 
sessors, William Whitney, James Scollay, William Bickford, Jr. ; 
Treasurer, Asa Richardson. 

1818. — Moderator, William Whitney, Esq. ; Town Clerk, Asa Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, William Bickford, Jr., William Whitney, James 
Scollay; Assessors, William Bickford, Jr., William Whitney, 
James Scollay ; Treasurer, Asa Richardson. 

1819. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Smyrna Glazier; Se- 
lectmen, Smyrna Glazier, Noah Fairbanks, Abel Jackson ; Asses- 
sors, William Bickford, Jr., Walter Greenwood, Ezra Baker; 
Treasurer, Asa Richardson ; Representative, William Whitney, 
Esq. 

1820. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Asa Richardson ; Se- 
lectmen, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., Benjamin Stone ; 
Assessors, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., Benjamin 
Hey wood; Treasurer, Asa Richardson ; Representative, William 
AVhitney, Esq. 

27 



210 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1821. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Asa Richardson; Se- 
lectmen, William Bickford, Jr., James M. Comee, Lewis Glazier; 
Assessors, William Bickford, Jr., William Whitney, Benjamin 
Hey wood ; Treasurer, Asa Richardson. 

1822. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Asa Richardson; Se- 
lectmen, James M. Comee, James Scollay, Lewis Glazier; Asses- 
sors, William Wiiitney, Abel Jackson, James Scollay ; Treasurer, 
Asa Richardson. 

1823. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Daniel Spaulding ; 
Selectmen, Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Joel Cowee ; Asses- 
sors, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr., James Scollay; 
Treasurer, Benjamin Heywood. 

1824. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Daniel Spaulding ; Se- 
lectmen, Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Joel Cowee; Assessors, 
William Whitney, Benjamin Heywood, James Scollay ; Treasurer, 
Beiijamin Heywood. 

1825. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Daniel vSpaulding ; Se- 
lectmen, Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Joel Cowee ; Assessors, 
James Scollay, Walter Greenwood, Asa Richardson ; Treasurer, 
Benjamin Heywood ; Representative, William Whitney, Esq. 

1826. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier; Town Clerk, Asa Richardson ; Se- 
lectmen, William Whitney, Smyrna Glazier, Noah Fairbanks; 
Assessors, Benjamin Heywood, AVilliam Whitney, Martin Dunster ; 
Treasurer, Benjamin Heywood. 

1827. — Moderator, Lewis Glazier ; Town Clerk, Asa Richardson; Se- 
lectmen, Noah Fairbanks, Smyrna Glazier, Joseph Wright; As- 
sessors, James Scollay, Nathaniel Wright, George W. Davis ; 
Treasurer, Benj. Heywood; Representative, Smyrna Glazier, P^sq. 

1828. — Moderator, Martin Dunster; Town Clerk, Levi Heywood ; Se- 
lectmen, Lewis Glazier, Walter Greenwood, Joseph Wright; As- 
sessors, George W. Davis, Nathaniel Wright, Martin Dunster; 
Treasurer, Benj. Heywood; Representative, Smyrna Glazier, Esq. 

1829. — Moderator, INIartin Dunster; Town Clerk, Levi Heywood; Se- 
lectmen, Walter Greenwood, Joseph Wright, Joel Cowee ; Asses- 
sons, William Whitney, James Scollay, Benjamin Heywood ; 
Treasurer, Benj. Heywood; Representative, Smyrna Glazier, Esq. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 211 

1830. — Moderator, Martin Dunster ; Towu Clerk, Levi Heywood ; 
Selectmen, Walter Greenwood, Joseph Wright, Nathan Green ; 
Assessors, William Whitney, Nathaniel Wright, James Scollay ; 
Treasurer, Benj. Heywood. 

1831. — JModerator, Martin Dunster; Town. Clerk, Benj. F. Heywood; 
Selectmen, A¥ alter Greenwood, Nathan Green. Nathaniel Wright ; 
Assessors, William Whitney, James Scollay, Timothy Heywood ; 
Treasurer, Benjamin Heywood ; Representative, Timothy Hey- 
wood. 

1832. — Moderator, Martin Dunster; Town Clerk, Benj. F. Heywood; 
Selectmen, Nathan Green, Aliio Temple, Adam Partridge, George 
W. Davis, Asaph Wood ; Assessors, James Scollay, Timothy 
Heywood, Amasa Whitney ; Treasurer, Benj. Heywood. 

1833. — Moderator, Martin Dunster; Town Clerk, Benj. F. Heywood ; 
Selectmen, Nathan Green, Adam Partridge, George W. Davis ; 
Assessors, Timothy Heywood, Amasa Whitney, Amasa Leland ; 
Treasurer, Asa Richardson ; Representative, Timothy Heywood. 

1834. — Moderator, Martin Dunster; Town Clerk, Benj. F. Heywood; 
Selectmen, Adam Partridge, George W. Davis, Isaac Jackson ; 
Assessors, Timothy Heywood, Amasa Leland, Amasa Whitney ; 
Treasurer, Walter Heywood ; Representative, Timothy Heywood. 

1835. — Moderator, Martin Dunster; Town Clerk, Benj. F. Heywood; 
Selectmen, George W. Davis, Isaac Jackson, Nathan Green; As- 
sessors, Timothy Heywood, Amasa Leland, Amasa Whitney ; 
Treasurer, Walter Heywood ; Representative, Timothy Heywood. 

1836. — Moderator, Martin Dunster; Town Clerk, Benj. F. Heywood; 
Selectmen, George W. Davis, Isaac Jackson, Nathan Green ; As- 
sessors, Amasa Leland, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Asaph Wood ; 
Treasurer, Walter Heywood ; Representative, James Scollay. 

1837. — Moderator, Asaph Wood; Town Clerk, Benj, F. Heywood; Se- 
lectmen, George W. Davis. Nathan Green, Asaph Wood ; Asses- 
sors, Amasa Leland, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Benj. F. Heywood ; 
Treasurer, Walter Heywood. 



212 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1838. — Moderator, Martin Dunster ; Town Clei-k, Benj. F. Hey wood ; 
Selectmen, George W. Davis, Nathan Green, Nathaniel Wriglit ; 
Assessors, Benj. F. Heywood, Amasa Leland, Smyrna AY. Ban- 
croft ; Treasurer, WaUer Heywood ; Representative, Timothy Hey- 
wood. 

1839.— Moderator, Asaph Wood ; Town Clerk, Theophilus P. Wood ; 
Selectmen, George W. Davis, Nathan Green, Joseph Wright ; As- 
sessors, Asaph Wood, James Scollay, Smyrna W. Bancroft ; Treas- 
urer, Walter Heywood. 

1840. — Moderator, Martin Dunster ; Town Clerk, Theophilus P. Wood ; 
Selectmen, George W. Davis, Joseph Wright, Smyrna Bancroft; 
Assessors, Asaph Wood, Amasa Leland, John Edgell ; Treasurer, 
Walter Heywood. 

1841.— Moderator, Asaph Wood; Town Clerk, Theophilus P.Wood; 
Selectmen, George W. Davis, Joseph Wright, Smyrna W. Ban- 
croft ; Assessors, Asaph Wood, Charles W. Bush, Walter Hey- 
wood ; Treasurer, Walter Heywood ; Representative, Timothy 
Heywood. 

1842.— Moderator, Martin Dunster ; Town Clerk, *Tlieophilus P. Wood, 
Francis Richardson ; Selectmen, Joseph Wright, Amasa Leland, 
Mirick Stimpson ; Assessors, Thomas E. Glazier, John Edgell, 
Amasa Leland; Treasurer, Benj. F. Heywood; Representative, 
Joseph Wright. 

1843. — Moderator, Martin Dunster; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson 
Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, Walter Greenwood, John Edgell 
Assessors, Thomas E. Glazier, Walter Greenwood, John Edgell 
Treasurer, Seth Heywood ; Representative, Joseph Wright. 

1844 — Moderator, Martin Dunster ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 
Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, George W. Davis, John Edgell ; 
Assessors, Thomas E. Glazier, John Edgell, Hubbard Kendall ; 
Treasurer, Seth Heywood ; Representative, Joseph Wright. 

1845. — Moderator, Asaph Wood ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 

^ Selectmen, John Edgell, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Nathaniel Wright ; 
Assessors, Thomas E. Glazier, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Hubbard 
Kendall ; Treasurer, Seth Heywood ; Representative, Joseph 
Wright. 

*Kesigned. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 213 

1846. — Moderator, Asapli Wood ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 
Selectmen, Asaph Wood, George W. Davis, John Edgell ; Asses- 
sors, Thomas E. Glazier, Francis Richardson, Nathaniel Wright ; 
Treasurer, Seth Heywood ; Representative, S. W. Bancroft. 

1847. — Moderator, Asaph Wood ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 
Selectmen, Joseph Wright, Thorley Collester, Stephen Taylor ; As- 
sessors, Thomas E. Glazier, Aaron B. Jackson, C. S. Greenwood; 
Treasurer, Seth Heywood ; Representative, S. W. Bancroft. 

1848. — Moderator, L. H. Bradford : Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 
Selectmen, Thorley Collester, L. H. Bradford, Alonzo Sawtell ; 
Assessors, Aarou B.Jackson, C. S. Greenwood, John Edgell; 
Treasurer, Seth Heywood ; Representative, Asaph Wood. 

1849. — Moderator, L. H. Bradford ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 
Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, Alonzo Sawtell, Jonas Pierce; 
Assessors, Nathaniel Wright, S. W. Bancroft, Aaron B. Jackson ; 
Treasurer, E. S. Jackson; Representative, Thomas E. Glazier. 

1850. — Moderator, Asaph Wood ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 
Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, Thorley Collester, Elisha S. Jack- 
son ; Assessors, Austin Whitney, Rufus Newton, J. A. Whitney; 
Treasurer, E. S. Jacksou ; Representative, John Edgell. 

1851. — Moderator, Asaph Wood; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson; 
Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, Thorley Collester, Elisha S. Jack- 
son ; Assessors, Austin Whitney, Rufus Newton, Alonzo Sawtell ; 
Treasurer, E. S. Jackson ; Representative, John Edgell. 

1852. — Moderator, Asaph Wood; Town Clerk, Abel S, Wood; Select- 
men, Aaron B. Jackson, Asa Merriam, Rufus Newton ; Assessors, 
Aaron B. Jackson, Asa Merriam, Rufus Newton ; Treasurer, E. 
S. Jackson ; Representative, Amasa Whitney. 

1853. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, P'rancis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Alonzo Sawtell, Thomas E. Glazier, Smyrna W. 
Bancroft ; Assessors, Alonzo Sawtell, Thomas E. Glazier, Smyr- 
na W. Bancroft ; Treasurer, E. S. Jackson ; Representative, David 
Wright. 

1854. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, Alonzo Sawtell, Smyrna W. 
Bancroft ; Assessors, Thorley Collester, Hubbard Kendall, S. W. A. 
Stevens ; Treasurer, E. S. Jackson ; Representative, David Wright. 



214 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

1855. — Moderator, John M. Moore ; Town Clerk, James H. Greenwood ; 
Selectmen, Asa Merriam, A. L. Greenwood, M. A. Gates ; Asses- 
sors, Abel Stevens, Edward Greenwood, Asa F. Smith ; Treasurer, 
E. S. Jackson ; Representatives, John M. Moore. 

1856. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, James H. Green- 
wood ; Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, S. W. A. Stevens, Charles 
Thompson ; Assessors, Simeon K. Leland, Thorley CoUester, Ivers 
Whitney ; Treasurer, E. S. Jackson ; Representative, Asa Mer- 
riam. 

1857. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, James H. Green- 
wood ; Selectmen, A. L. Greenwood, Asa Merriam, M. A. Gates; 
Assessors, Asa F. Smith, Rufus Newton, Edward Greenwood; 
Treasurer, E. S. Jackson. 

1858. — Moderator, Asaph Wood ; Town Clerk, James H. Greenwood ; 
Selectmen, Asa Merriam, M. A. Gates, Amasa Bancroft ; Asses- 
sors, Rufus Newton, Francis Richardson, Ivers Whitney ; Treas- 
urer, E. S. Jackson ; Representative, Thomas E. Glazier. 

1859. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Asa Merriam, Amasa Bancroft, M. A. Gates ; 
Assessors, Francis Richardson, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Gi'eenwood ; 
Treasurer, E. S. Jackson ; Representative, William Mayo, West- 
minster. 

1860. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Amasa Bancroft, Thorley CoUester, Aaron Green- 
wood ; Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, Francis 
Richardson ; Treasurer, Elisha S. Jackson ; Representative, Seth 
Heywood. 

1861. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier; Town Clerk, Francis Rich- 
ardson ; Selectmen, Aaron Greenwood, Thorley CoUester, Amasa 
Bancroft; Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Asa F. Smith, Ivers 
Whitney ; Treasurer, Elisha S. Jackson ; Representative, Joseph 
W. P^orbush of Westminster. 

1862. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, Francis Rich- 
ardson ; Selectmen, Amasa Bancroft, Thorley CoUester, Jonas 
Pierce ; Assessors, Ivers Whitney, Thomas E. Glazier, Aaron 
Greenwood ; Treasurer, Elisha S. Jackson ; Representative, Thor- 
ley CoUester. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 215 

1863. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Thorley Collester, Marcius 
A. Gates ; Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Thomas E. Glazier, Ivers 
Whitney ; Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Franklin 
Wyman of Westminster. 

1864. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Amasa Bancroft, M. A. Gates, John Edgell ; As- 
sessors, Marcus Wright, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Greenwood ; Treas- 
urer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Allen Folger. 

1865. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son; Selectmen,. Marcius A. Gates, Ezra Osgood, Asa Temple; 
Assessors, Ivers Whitney, Benj. F. Kendall, Hiram Wood ; Treas- 
urer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Augustine Whitney of 
AVestminster. 

1866. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son; Selectmen, Marcius A. Gates, Ezra Osgood, Asa Temple; 
Assessors, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Greenwood, Hiram Wood; 
Treasurer, C Webster Bush ; Representative, A. A. Bent. 

1867. — Moderator, A. Allen Bent; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson; 
Selectmen, Asa Temple, Ezra Osgood, Amos B. Minott ; Asses- 
sors, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Greenwood, Hiram Wood ; Treasurer, 
C. Webster Bush ; Representative, George P. Hawkes of Tem- 
plet on. 

1868. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier; Town Clerk, Francis Rich- 
ardson ; Selectmen, Ezra Osgood, Asa Temple, A. B. Minott ; 
Assessors, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Greenwood, Hiram Wood ; 
Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Charles Heywood. 

1869. — Moderator, A. A. Bent ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; Se- 
lectmen, Charles Heywood, Allen Folger, S. W. A. Stevens; 
Assessors, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Greenwood, Francis Richard- 
sou ; Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Calvin S. 
Greenwood. 

1870. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, Francis Richard-- 
son; Selectmen, Chai-les Heywood, S. W. A. Stevens, Thomas E. 
Glazier ; Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, Francis 
Richardson ; Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, John 
M. Moore. 



216 HISTOBY OF GAEDNFR. 

1871. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Thomas E. Glazier, Henry C. Hill, Marcus 
Wright ; Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, Thomas E. 
Glazier; Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Levi Hey- 
wood. 

1872. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, Francis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, C. Webster Bush, H. C. Hill, Marcus Wright; 
Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, Asa F. Smith ; 
Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, William Stone of 
Templeton . 

1873. — Moderator, Thomas E. Glazier ; Town Clerk, Fi-ancis Richard- 
son ; Selectmen, Levi H. Sawin, Augustus Knowlton, Samuel 
Bent ; Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, Asa F. Smith ; 
Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, William N. Wal- 
ker of Templeton. 

1874. — Moderator, M. R. Hunting; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson; 
Selectmen, Levi H. Sawin, Augustus Knowlton, Samuel Bent; 
Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, Asa F. Smith ; 
Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Levi II. Sawin. 

1875. — Moderator, Asa Merriam ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 
Selectmen, Ezra Osgood, A. L. Greenwood, A. B. Jackson; As- 
sessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers AVhitney, A. F. Smith ; Treas- 
urer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, Edward Sanderson of 
Templeton. 

1876. — Moderator, John M. Moore; Town C'erk, Francis Ricliardson ; 
Selectmen, Ezra Osgood, A. L. Greenwood, Thomas Greenwood ; 
Assessors, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Greenwood, Henry lladley ; 
Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representative, H. C. Knowlton. 

1877. — Moderator. Asaph Wood; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson; 

Selectmen, Ezra Osgood, A. L. Greenwood, Thomas Greenwood ; 

Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, C. Webster Bush ; 

Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representatives, Simeon Merritt of 

Ashburnham, Wilder P. Clark of Winchendon. 
1878. — Moderator, John M. JNIoore ; Town Clerk, Francis Richardson ; 

Selectmen, Ezra Osgood, A. L. Greenwood, Thomas Greenwood ; 

Assessors, Aaron Greenwood, Ivers Whitney, C. Webster Bush ; 

Treasurer, C. Webster Bush ; Representatives, C. Webster Bush, 

Artemas Merriam of Westminster, 



HISTORY OF GARDNEB. 217 

In 1857, the State Constitution was so amended that the House 
of Representatives should consist of two hundred and forty 
members and no more, and for this purpose the state was divided 
into districts of one or more towns ; Westminster and Gard- 
ner forming one district, and entitled to one Representative each 
year. In 1867, the state was districted anew, Templeton and 
Gardner forming a district, and entitled to one Representative 
yearly. In 1877, the state was again redistricted and Gardner, 
Winchendon, Ashburnham, Westminster and Princeton were 
made a double district, and entitled to two Representatives, each 
year. It seems necessary to make the above statement, in 
order to show why this town has been represented some years 
by men not belonging here. 
28 



218 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER IX. 

CARE OF THE POOR. 

" For the poor shall never cease out of the land : therefore I comraand thee, 
saying, Thou shalt open thiue hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and 
to thy needy, in thy land." — Dent. 15 : 11. 

"For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will, ye may 
do them good." — 2Iark 14 : 7. 

"True is it that we have seen better days, 
And have with holy bell been knoU'd to church; 
And sat at good men's feasts ; and wiped our eyes 
, Of drops that sacred pitj^ hath cngender'd." 

—As You Like It, Act II., Scene VII. 
" Oppress'd with tAvo weak evils, age and hunger." 

—.4s You Like It, Act 11., Scene VII. 

" Give him a little earth for charity !" 

—Henry VIIL, Act IV, Scene II. 
" Children of wealth or want, to each is given 
One spot of green and all the blue of heaven." 

— O. W. Holmes. 
" My equal he will be again, 

Down in that cold oblivious gloom, 
Where all the prostrate ranks of men 
Crowd, without fellowship, the tomb." 

— J. Montgomory. 
" Want is the only Avoe God gives you power to heal !" 

— Mrs. Caroline E. Norton. 



CARE for the poor and needy is a plain dictate of hnnianity. 
We learn, from the oldest records extant, that this was 
regarded as a prominent and commendable practice among 
nations of the greatest antiquity. For instance, in the book of 
Job, so much admired by Daniel Webster, for the beauty and 
sublimity of its language, we have frequent mention of this sort 
of charity, for the poor, the widow and the orphan, as evidence 
of a righteousness meriting the approval of all good men, while 
he, who neglected this duty, w^as denounced as worthy of se- 
verest reprobation, upon whom, was invoked the punishment 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 219 

of the Almighty-' and the deserved disapproval of all mankind. 
The man, destitute of this virtue, whose conduct is actuated by 
supreme selfishness, is described, as manifesting this selfishness 
in his treatment of the poor and the oppressed ; " they violently 
take away flocks and feed thereof. They drive away the ass of 
the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. They 
turn the needy out of the way; the poor of the earth hide 
themselves together. They pluck the fatherless from the breast, 
and take a pledge of the poor. They cause him to go naked 
without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry. 
The murderer, rising with the light, killeth the poor and needy. 
Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor ; because 
he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; 
surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save 
of that which he desired. In the fullness of his sufliciency he 
shall 1)6 in straits ; every hand of the wicked shall come upon 
him." 

While on the other hand. Job appeals to a directly opposite 
course of conduct in himself, as affording the clearest evidence 
of his integrity and righteousness, in the sight of God and men. 
*' When the ear heard me, then it blessed me ; and when the 
eye saw me, it gave witness to me : because I delivered the 
poor that cried, and the ftitherless, and him that had none to 
help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came 
upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I 
was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a 
father to the poor : and the cause of which I knew not I searched 
out. I break the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out 
of his teeth. Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was 
not my soul grieved for the poor? If I have withheld the poor 
from their desire or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail ; 
or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath 
not eaten thereof; if I have seen any perish for want of cloth- 
ing, or any poor without covering ; if his loins have not blessed 
me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep ; if 
I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my 



220 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

help ill the gate : then let mine arm foil from my shoulder blade 
and mine arm be broken from the bone. The stranger did not 
lodge in the street ; but I opened my doors to the traveler." 

In the Hebrew nation, under the Mosaic law, there were 
special divine enactments in favor of the poor and needy ; the 
following are some of these enactments : — 

"And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shall not 
wholly reap, the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather 
the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy 
vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vine- 
yard ; thou shalt leave them for the poor and the stranger."* 

" When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and 
hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch 
it ; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the 
widow : that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work 
of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt 
not go over the bows again : it shall be for the stranger, for the 
fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes 
of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward : it shall be 
for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. And if 
a man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge : in any 
case, thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun 
goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment and bless 
thee. Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant, that is poor and 
needy. At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall 
the sun go down upon it ; for he is poor and setteth his heart 
upon it ; lest he cry against thee unto the Lord and it be sin unto 
thee. Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger ; 
nor of the fatherless ; nor take the widow's raiment to pledge. ''-f 

The poor and the stranger were to have their portion, from 
the produce of the land, in the seventh or sabbatical year. 
"And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the 
fruits thereof; but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie 
still; that the poor of the people may eat: in like manner 
thou shalt deal with thy vineyard and thy oliveyard."J 

*Levt. 19 : 9, 10. tDeut. 24. JEx. 23 : 10, 11. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 221 

The lands of the poor, were not allowed to be permanently 
alienated, but the original owners had the right of re-entry upon 
these lands, at the expiration of fifty years, or in the year of 
jubilee, with certain limitations. 

There was also the prohibition of usury, and of the retention 
of loans, without interest. "And if thy brother be waxen poor, 
and fallen in decay with thee ; then thou shalt relieve him : yea, 
though he be a stranger, or a sojourner ; that he may live with 
thee. Take thou no usury of him or increase. Thou shalt not 
give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for 
increase."* 

Permanent bondage was foibidden, and the emancipation, of 
Hebrew bondsmen and bondswomen, was enjoined in the sab- 
batical and jubilee years, even when bound to a foreigner. "If 
there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within 
any of thy gates, in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth 
thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thine hand from 
thy poor brother ; but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, 
and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which 
he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked 
heart, saying. The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand ; 
and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest 
him naught ; and he cry unto the Lord against thee and it be a 
sin unto thee. Thou shall surely give him, and thine heart 
shall not be grieved, when thou givest unto him : because that 
for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, 
and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall 
never cease out of the land : therefore I command thee saying, 
Thou shalt open thine hand Avide unto thy brother, to thy poor, 
and to thy needy, in thy land. And if thy brother, an Hebrew 
man or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee 
six years, then in the seventh year, thou shalt let him go free 
from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, 
thou shalt not let him go away empty : thou shalt furnish him 

*Levt. 25 : 35, 86, 37. 



222 HISTORY OF GAIWNFR. 

liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, aud out of thy 
winepress : and that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed 
thee."* 

Under this theocratic government, the severest woes were 
pronounced upon the oppressors of the poor, in the ordinary 
transactions of life, or in judicial proceedings unfavorable to 
them. " Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and 
that write grievousness which they have prescribed ; to turn 
aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from 
the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and 
that they may rob the fatherless !"| 

" For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not 
turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the right- 
eous for silver and the poor for a pair of shoes ; that pant after 
the dust of the earth, on the head of the poor, and turn aside 
the way of the meek."| 

" Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions, 
every man to his brother : and oppress not the widow, nor the 
fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you 
imagine evil against his brother in your heart. ''§ 

Under this government, mendicants were divided into two 
classes, the settled poor, and the vagrants. In the light of the 
enactments of the Jewish theocracy, above adduced, and the 
various instances of assisting the poor referred to, it is made 
sufliciently clear, that poor and needy humanity has been, from 
the earliest ages, an object of divine and human sympathy and 
charity. 

That this evil, of mendicancy, continued to be prevalent, in 
the Eastern nations, is evident from the repeated instances re- 
corded in the New Testament, in the times of Christ and of his 
apostles, who, out of their common and scanty purse, made 
frequent provision for the poor. The observance of this duty 
of caring for the poor, was regarded as an essential qualification 
in any one who would go forth as a representative of the Chris- 

*Deiit. 15 : 7-15. fls. 10 : 1, 2. JAinos 2 : G, 7. §Zecli. 7 : 9, 10. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 223 

tian religion. " Onl}^ they would that we should remember the 
poor; the same which I also was forward to do."* 

Notwithstanding, the care of the poor and necessitous, is a 
natural outcome of humanity and religion, nevertheless, the best 
methods to be adopted for the management of this class, es- 
pecially the vagrant poor, must ever be a question of gravest 
importance, surpassing, sometimes, the ability of our wisest 
legislators to solve. Hume, refei-ring to this, as a matter of 
great importance, in the reign of Henry the VIII., 1509-1547, 
says, " Some laws were made with regard to beggars and 
vao-rants ; one of the circumstances in oovernment, which hu- 
manity would most powerfully recommend to a benevolent leg- 
islator ; which seems, at first sight, the most easily adjusted, and 
which is yet the most difficult to settle, in such a manner as to 
attain the end, without destroying industry. "f 

For many centuries, previous to the reign of Henry the VIII., 
the care of the poor was chiefly committed to the monasteries, 
which, for a long time, continued to fulfil honestly the inten- 
tions for which they were established ; but, according to Fronde, 
as early as the reign of Eichard II., 1377-1399, " it was found 
necessary to provide some other means for the support of the 
aged and impotent ; the monasteries not only having then 
begun to neglect their duty, but by the appropriation of bene- 
fices having actually deprived the parishes, of their local and 
independent means of charity. Licenses to beg, were, at that 
time, granted to deserving persons ; and it is noticeable that 
this measure was, in a few years, followed by the petition to 
Henry the IV., 1399-1413, for the secularization of ecclesias- 
tical property. Thus early, in our history, had the regular clergy 
forgotten the nature of their mission, and the object for which 
the administration of the nation's charities had been submitted 
to them. Thus early, while their houses were the nurseries of 
dishonest mendicancy, they had surrendered to lay compassion, 
those who ought to have been their especial care. At the open- 

*Gal. 2 : 10. tHunie's History of Englaud, vol. 3, p. 317. 



224 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

ing of the sixteenth century, before the suspension of the mon- 
asteries h.'id suggested itself in a practical form, pauperism was 
a state question of great difficulty. 

" For the able bodied vagrant, it is well known that the old 
English laws had no mercy. When wages are low, and popu- 
lation has out-grown the work which can be provided for it, 
idleness may be involuntary and innocent ; at a time when all 
industrious men could maintain themselves in comfort and 
prosperity, ' Avhen a fair day's wages for a fair day's work ' 
was really and truly the law of the land, it was presumed that 
if strong, capable men preferred to wander about the country, 
and live upon the labor of others, mendicancy was not the only 
crime of which they were likely to be guilty : while idleness 
itself was justly looked upon as a high offense and misdemeanor. 
The penalty of God's laws against idleness, as expressed in the 
system of nature, was starvation ; and it was held intolerable 
that any man should be allowed to escape a divine judgment 
by begging under false pretences, and robbing others of their 
honest earnings." 

The following is an act of parliament, concerning the increase 
of vagrancy, passed in the year 1531 : — 

" Whereas, in all places throughout this realm of England, 
vagabonds and beggars have of long time increased, and daily 
do increase in great and excessive numbers, by the occasion of 
idleness, mother and root of all vices ; whereby hath insurged 
and sprung, and daily insurgeth and springeth, continual thefts, 
murders, and other heinous ofienses and great enormities, to 
the high displeasure of God, the inquietation and damage of 
the King's people, and to the mar^ellous disturbance of the 
common weal of this realm : and whereas, strait statutes and 
ordinances have been before this time devised and made, as well 
by the king our sovereign lord, as also by divers, his most 
noble progenitors, kings of England, for the most necessary 
and due reformation of the premises ; yet that notwithstanding, 
the said number of vagabonds and beggars be not seen in any 
part to be diminished, but rather daily augmented and increased 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 225 

into great routs or companies, as evidently and manifestly it 
doth and may appear : Be it therefore enacted by the king our 
sovereign lord, and by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and 
the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, that the 
justices of the peace of all and singular the shires of England 
within the limits of their commission, and all other justices of 
the peace, mayors, sheriffs, bailiffs, and other officers of every 
city, borough, or franchise, shall from time to time, as often as 
need shall require, make diligent search and inquiry of all aged, 
poor, and impotent persons, which live, or of necessity be com- 
pelled to live by alms of the charity of the people ; and such 
search made, the said officers, every of them within the limits 
of their authorities, shall have power, at their discretions, to 
enable to beg within such limits as they shall appoint, such 
of the said impotent persons as they shall think convenient ; 
and to give in commandment to every such impotent beggar 
(by them enabled) that none of them shall beg without the 
limits so appointed to them. And further, they shall deliver to 
every such person so enabled, a letter containing the name of 
that person, witnessing that he is authorized to beg, and the 
limits within which he is appointed to beg, the same letter to 
be sealed with the seal of the hundred, rape, wapentake, city 
or borough, and subscribed with the name of one of the said 
justices or officers aforesaid. And if any such impotent persons 
do beg in any other place than within such limits, than the jus- 
tices of the peace, and all other the king's officers and ministers, 
shall by their discretions punish all such persons by imprison- 
ment in the stocks, by the space of two days and two nights, 
giving them only bread and water. 

" If any such impotent person be found begging without a 
license, at the discretion of the justices of the peace, he shall 
be stripped naked from the middle upwards, and whipped, 
within the town in which he be found, or within some other 
town, as it shall seem good. Or if it be not convenient so to 
punish him, he shall be set in the stocks by the space of three 
days and three nights. 

29 



22[) IIISTOBY OF GAIIDXEL\ 

''And be it further enacted, that it* any person or persons, 
being whole and mighty in body and able to labor, be taken in 
begging in any part of this realm ; and if any man or woman, 
being whole and mighty in body, having no land, nor master, 
nor using any lawful merehandry, eraft or mystery whereby he 
might get his living, be vagrant, and can give none account 
how he doth lawfully get his living, then it shall be lawful to 
the constables and all other king's otlicers, ministers, and sub- 
jects of every town, parish and hamlet, to arrest the said vaga- 
bonds and idle persons, and bring them to any justice of the 
peace of the same shire or liberty, or else to the high constable 
of the hundred: and the justice of the peace,. high constable, 
or other otficer, shall cause such idle person so to him brought, 
to be had to the next market town or other place, and there to 
be tied to the end of a cart, naked, and be beaten with whips 
throughout the same town till his body be bloody by reason of 
such whipping ; and after such punishment or whipping had, the 
person so punished shall be enjoined upon his oath to return 
forthwith without delay, in the next and straight way, to the 
place where he was born, or where he last dwelled before the 
same punishment, by the ^pace of three yeai's : and then put 
himself to labor like a true man ought to do ; and after that 
done, ever}^ such person so punished and ordered, shall have a 
letter, sealed with the seal of the hundred, rape or wapentake, 
witnessing that he hath been punished according to this statute, 
and containing the day and place of his punishment, and the 
place whereunto he is limited to go, and by what time he is 
limited to come thither; for that within that time, showing the 
said letter, he may lawfully beg by the way, and otherwise not: 
and if he do not accomplish the order to him appointed by the 
said letter, then to be eftsoons taken and whipped ; and so often 
as there be fimlt found in him, to be whipped till he has his 
body put to labor for his living, or otherwise truly get his living 
so long as he is able to do so. 

"Be it further enacted, that scholars of the Universities of 
Oxford and Cambridjxe, that 2:0 about beuiiino-, not bcinu' au- 



HISTORY OF GAIWJ^EU. 227 

tliori/cd iiiul(n- the scnl of the said universities, by the commis- 
sai-y, c'liMiiccllor, or vice cliancellor of the same ; and tiiat all 
and .siii.<::idarshi[)inon pretending losses of their shii)sand goods, 
going ahout llu; coiinlry begging ^vithout sudicicnt authority, 
shall be punished and ordered in manner and form as is above 
rehearsed of strong beggars; and that nil proetors and pardon- 
ers, and all other idle persons going about in eounties or 
abiding in any town, eity or borough, some of them using 
divers subtle, crafty and unlawful games and plays, and sonic 
of them feigning themselves to have; knowledges in physic, 
physnamye, and palmistry, or other crafty science, whereby 
they bear the people in hand that they can tell their destinies, 
dreams and fortunes, and such other like fantastical imagina- 
tions, to the great deceit of the king's subjects, shall, upon an 
examination had bi'fore two justices of the peace, if by provable 
witn(>sses they be found guilty of such deceits, be punished l)y 
whipping at two days together, after the manner before re- 
hearsed. And if they eftsoons oifend in tlu^ sam(> or any like 
offence, to be scourged two days, and the third day to be put 
upon the [)illory, from nine o'clock till eleven, the forenoon of 
the same day, and to have the right ear cut oft'; and if they 
offend the third time, to have like punishment, with whippinir 
and the [)illory, and to have the other ear cut off'." 

As if this act was not sufficiently severe to cure the evils of 
" sturdy mendicancy, "and to rid the hind of " sturdy' and valiant 
beggars," the provisions of it were expanded, five years later, 
enhancing the penalties, and, at the same time, providing vag- 
rants with labor upon public works, as roads, harbors, embank- 
ments and fortifications. Another important alteration was a 
restriction upon private eharit}'. According to Fronde, "pri- 
vate i)ersons wen; forl)idden, under heavy penalties, to give 
money to beggars, whether deserving or undeserving. The 
poor, of each parish, might call at houses, within the boundaries 
for broken meats ; but this was the limit of personal alms 
giving; and the money, which men might be disposed to offer, 
was to be collected by the church wardens, on Sundays and 



228 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

holidays, in the churches. The parish priest was to keep an 
account of the receipts and expenditure. 

" The sturdy vagabond, who, by the earlier statute, was con- 
demned on his second offence to lose the whole or part of his 
right ear, was condemned, by the amended act, if found a third 
time offending, with the mark upon him of his mutilation, ' to 
suffer pains and execution of death as a felon, and as an enemy 
of the commonwealth.' For an able bodied man to be caught 
a third time begging, Avas held a crime deserving death, and 
the sentence was intended, on tit occasions, to be executed. If 
out of employment, preferring to be idle, he might be demanded 
for work, by any master of the ' craft' to which he belonged, 
and compelled to work whether he would or not. If caught 
begging once, being neither aged nor infirm, he was whipped at 
the cart's tail. If caught a second time, his ear was slit or 
bored through with a hot iron. If caught a third time, being; 
thereby proved to be of no use upon this earth, but to live 
upon it only to his own hurt and to that of others, he suffered 
death as a felon. So the kuv of England remained in force for 
sixty years. It was therefore the expressed conviction of the 
English nation, that it was better for a man not to live at all, 
than to live a profitless and worthless life. The vagabond was 
a sore spot upon the connnon wealth, to be healed by wholesome 
discipline if the gangrene was not incurable ; but to be cut 
away with the knife, if the milder treatment of the cart- whip 
failed to be of profit."* 

This se^^'erity, in the treatment of vagrants, did not, however, 
have the effect to rid the land of this deeply rooted evil. It is 
said to have failed from over severity, so that through " foolish 
pity of them that should have seen the laws executed," there 
had been no hanging and very little whipping. This may be 
said to be the result of all unduly severe legislative acts. After 
the death of Henry VIII., in 1547, an act was passed, 
called the vagrancy act, by which an attempt was made to 

*Frucle's Ilistoiy of Eiiiiiand, vol. 1, p. 78-90. 



HISTORY OF GABBJ^FB. 229 

reduce the vagrant to the coudition of a slave. " A servant 
determmately idle, leaving his work, or an able bodied vagrant, 
roaming the country without means of honest self-support and 
without seeking employment, was to be brought before the two 
nearest magistrates. On proof of the idle living of the said 
person, he was to be branded on the breast, where the mark 
would be concealed by his clothes, with the letter V, and 
adjudged to some honest neighbor as a slave, ' to have and to 
hold the said slave for the space of two years then next follow- 
ing ;' ' and to order the said slave as follows :' that is to sajs 
' to take such person adjudged as slave with him, and only 
giving the said slave bread and Avater, or small drink, and such 
refuse of meat as he should think meet, to cause the said slave 
to work.' If mild measures failed, if the slave was still idle or 
ran away, he was to be marked on the cheek or forehead with 
an S and to be adjudged as slave for life. This measure failed 
and, in two years, was withdrawn."* 

From these instances, now adduced from English history, 
relating to vagrancy, and the failure of parliamentary enact- 
ments to suppress it, legislators and town officers of modern 
times will discover, that they are engaged in no new conflict 
with this useless and dangerous class, who to-day, throng the 
streets of our cities, and the highways of our entire land, plun- 
dering houses and stores, and consuming the hard earnings of 
our honest and industrious citizens, parasites of society. 

It appears from the Colonial Records that the early colonists 
encountered this same evil, which they sought to control by 
legislation. September 3d, 1639, the following act was passed 
by the Plymouth Colony, " for the preventing of idleness and 
other evils, occasioned thereby. It is enacted, by the Court, 
that the grand jurymen of every town shall have power Avithin 
their several townships, to take a special view and notice of all 
manner of persons, married or single, dwelling within their 
several towns, that have small "means to maintain them, and are 

*rrude's History of Euglaud, vol. 5, p. 75-76. 



230 HIST OB Y OF GAlWNEll. 

suspected to live idly and loosely, and to require an account of 
them, how they live, and such as they find delinquent, and can- 
not give a good account unto them, that they cause the consta- 
ble to brino- them before the Governor and Assistants, at Plvm- 
outh, the first Court of Assistants, after such delinquents shall 
be found out. That such course may be taken with them as in 
the wisdom of the government, shall be judged just and equal."* 

"It is enacted, by the court and the authority thereof, that 
if an}^ person or persons shall come into this government, that 
according to the law^ of England, may justly be accounted vaga- 
bond ; the marshal or the constable of the town whereunto they 
come ; shall apprehend him or them ; and upon examination so 
appearing, he shall whip them or cause them to be whipped 
W'ith rods, so as it exceed not fifteen stripes ; and to give him 
or them a pass to depart the government, and if any such per- 
son or persons shall be found without their pass, or not acting 
according thereunto, they shall be punished again as formerly ; 
and in case any constable of this jurisdiction shall be unwilling, 
or cannot procure any to inflict the punishment aforesaid, that 
then they shall bring such persons to Plymouth, to the under 
marshal and he shaH inflict it."f 

In the Massachusetts Colony, in 1639, we have the following 
record : " It is ordered, that the court, or any two magistrates 
out of court, shall have power to determine all diiferences about 
a lawful settling and providing for poor persons, and shall have 
power to dispose of all unsettled persons into such towns as 
they shall judge to be most fit for the maintenance of such 
persons and families and the most ease of the country.":]: 

In 1659, we have the followino- record, which throws lisfht 
upon the custom formerly adopted, in all our towns, of legally 
warning all new comers, rich or poor, to depart the limits of 
the town Avithin a certain specified time, that the town might 
avoid their support, in case they should afterwards become 



♦Plymouth Colony Kecords, vol. 11, p.. 32. 
tPlymouth Colony Records, vol. 11, p. 206. 
{Records of Massachusetts, vol. 1, p. 264. 



HISTOliY OF GARDNER. 231 

paupers : " For the Jivoidiiig of all future inconveniences refer- 
ring to the settling of poor people that may need relief from 
the place where the}^ dwell, it is ordered by this Court and the 
authority thereof, that where any person, with his family, or in 
case he hath no family, shall be resident in any town or pecu- 
liar of this jurisdiction for more than three months, without 
notice given to such person or persons, by the constable, or one 
of the selectmen of the said place, or their orders, that the town 
is not willing that they should remain as an inhabitant amongst 
them, and in case after such notice given, such person or per- 
sons shall, notwithstanding, remain in the said place, if the 
selectmen of the said place shall not, by way of complaint, 
petition the next County Court of that shire for relief in the said 
case, and the same prosecuted to effect, every such person or 
persons, as the case may require, shall be provided for and re- 
lieved, in case of necessity, by the inhaliitants of the said place 
where he or she is so found, 

"And it is further ordered, that each County Court shall, from 
time to time, hear and determine all complaints of this nature, 
and settle all poor persons, according to directions of this law, 
in any town or peculiar within this colony, and every such per- 
son or persons shall accordingly be entertained and provided for 
by the selectmen or constable of the said place, at a town 
charge ; and in case any town or peculiar shall find themselves 
aggrieved at such dispose of the County Court, they may appeal 
to the next Court of Assistants ; and where any person or per- 
sons cannot according to this law be settled in any town or 
peculiar, they shall then be placed in any town of that county 
wherein they are found, according as the County Court shall 
appoint, and their charges satisfied unto them by the county 
treasurer/'* 

In 1682, still farther legislation, upon this subject, seemed to 
be demanded, as is apparent from the following enactment of 
the Great and General Court of Massachusetts : — 

*Recorcls of Massachusetts, vol. 4, Part First, p. 365. 



232 HISTORY OF GAIWNFR. 

"Whereas, there are in sundry of our towns, and especially 
in Boston, many idle persons in families, as well as other single 
persons, who are greatly, if not altogether, negligent in their 
particular callings, and some that do not follow any lawful em- 
ployment for a livelihood, but misspend their time and that 
little which they earn, to the impoverishing, if not utter undoing, 
of themselves and families, for prevention whereof, it is or- 
dered, by this Court and the authority thereof, that the tything- 
men in each town shall inspect all such families and persons, 
and speedily return their names to the selectmen of the town 
where they dwell, who shall forthwith return to the next mag- 
istrate, and (if in Boston) to any of the magistrates or com- 
missioners there, who are hereby empowered to issue out 
warrants to the constable of the respective towns to require 
such person or family to work in or about any employment they 
are capable of, in the town or place wdiere they reside, and if 
they refuse to be regulated, as aforesaid, then to be sent by 
said authority to the house of correction, and there receive, ac- 
cording to the orders of that house, and kept to work ; and that 
such persons and families may be provided for, it is ordered, 
that all fheir clear earnings shall (by said selectmen or their 
order) be laid out in necessaries suitable for them or their 
families' use and relief, and that their wages shall from time to 
time, be stated by said selectmen ; and if any person or persons 
shall think themselves wronged thereby, they may complain 
to the County Court for relief."* 

" No idle drone may live amongst us," was the motto upon 
which they conducted their legislation towards vagrants. 

In imitation of the ancient custom, of the Massachusetts 
Colony, in its enactment concerning vagrants, in 1659, we have 
frequent occurrences recorded upon our town records, of legally 
warning all recent settlers to leave the town forthwith, of which 
the following is one of many : — 



♦Records of Massachusetts, vol. 5, p. 373. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 233 

Worcester, ss. Gardner, June 7ih, 1791. 

To Elijah Wilder, constable for the town of Gardner in said 
county : Greeting. 

You are, in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
directed to warn and give notice unto Isaac Jackson, yeoman, 
and Jonathan Brown, yeoman, and Beulah his wife and their 
child, and Samuel Edgell, gentleman, and Sarah his wife, and 
Betsey and Sarah their children, and Joseph Edgell, yeoman, 
and Dorcas his wife, and Sarah Laws, spinster, all of West- 
minster, and Rufus Dresser, yeoman, and Elizabeth his wife, of 
Lancaster, and William Whitney, Jr., yeoman, and Anna his 
wife, of Winchendon, and Anna Knights, spinster, of Sterling, 
all of the county of Worcester ; and Daniel Fisher, yeoman, 
of Walpole and county of Suffolk, and Lewis Dunn, yeoman, 
and Hannah his wife, and Lucy their daughter, spinster, all of 
Marlborough, and county of Middlesex and state of Massachu- 
setts, and Joseph Simond, yeoman, and Miriam his wife, from 
Putney, and Grace Palmer, spinster, of Shrewsbury, all of 
Vermont state, who have lately come into this town, for the 
purpose of abiding therein, not having obtained the town's con- 
sent ; therefore, that they depart the limits thereof, within 
fifteen days. And of this precept, with your doings thereon, 
you are to make return into the office of the town clerk, within 
twenty days next coming, that such further proceedings may 
be had in the premises as the law directs. 

Elisha Jackson, 
Ebenezer Howe, 

Samuel Stone, 
JosiAH Wheeler, 



Selectmen. 



It is not to be inferred, from the above precept, that the citi- 
zens of this town had any wish or intention to exclude from 
their limits these recent comers, but that they were only acting 
in accordance with the law of self-defense. It may be said, 
that usually these precepts, of warning were, as Macbeth says, 
like, 

30 



234 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

" A tale 
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, 
Signifj-ing nothing," 

unless it was, the performance of a solemn fsirce. 

That there have been great improvements made in the con- 
dition of the working man, within the last two centuries, under 
the ameliorating influences of Christianity, with its consequent 
advanced civilization, as also a manifest decrease of vagrancy 
and pauperism, cannot be denied, by the intelligent student of 
history. Macaulay informs us that, in England, the wages of 
the laborer, estimated in money, were, in 1685, not more than 
half of what they were in 1848 ; that, although meat was so 
cheap, in 1685, it was still so dear, that hundreds of thousands 
of families, scarcely knew the taste of it ; bread, such as is 
now given to the inmates of a work-house, was then seldom 
seen even on the trencher of a yeoman, or a shopkeeper. The 
great majority of the people lived on rye, barley and oats. 
Among the commodities, for which the laborer would have had 
to pay higher, in 1685, than his posterity paid in 1848, "were 
sugar, salt, coals, candles, soap, shoes, stockings, and generally 
all articles of clothing and beddinor. 

In confirmation of these facts, as stated by Macaulay, he 
introduces a statement from King's Natural and Political Con- 
clusions, who roughly estimated the common people of Eng- 
land, in 1685, at 880,000 families, of which 440,000 ate animal 
food twice a week, the remaining 440,000 ate meat not at all, 
or at most, not oftener than once a week. Beneath this labor- 
ing class, were a large portion of the population, who were 
unable to subsist, without more or less aid from the parish. 
They constituted about one-tifth of the whole population, making 
the poor rate, the heaviest tax, then borne by the people. In 
the reign of Charles II., this tax was computed at near seven 
hundred thousand pounds a year, a little less than the entire 
revenue of the crown. In a short time, it rose to between 
eight and nine hundred thousand pounds. Paupers and beggars, 
in 1696, were estimated at 1,330,000, out of a population of 



HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 235 

5,500,000. In 1846, the number of persons who received relief, 
as appeared from official returns, was 1,332,089, out of a popu- 
lation of about 17,000,000, showing that, in England, the pau- 
per rate has been constantly decreasing.* 

Speaking of the condition of the poor, in the reign of Queen 
Elizabeth and previous, Hume, refers in a note, to his third 
volume, to a statement made by Holinshead, author of Chroni- 
cles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, concerning the condi- 
tion of the poorer classes, " that there are old men dwelling in 
the village, where I remain, which have noted three things to 
be marvellously altered in England, within their sound remem- 
brance. One is the multitude of chimneys lately erected ; 
whereas, in their young days, there were not above two or three, 
if so many, in most upland towns of the realm, the religious 
houses and manor places of their lords, always excepted, and 
peradventure some great personage, but each made his fire 
against a reredosse, in the hall where he dined, and dressed his 
meat. The second is, the great amendment of lodofinofs ; for, 
said they, our fathers and we ourselves have lain full oft on 
straw pallets, covered only with a sheet, under coverlets made 
of dag-swain and a good round log under their head, instead of 
a bolster. If it was so that the father, or the good man of the 
house, had a mattress, or flock-bed, and thereto a sack of chafi", 
to rest his head upon, he thought himself to be as well lodged 
as the lord of the town, so well were they contented. Pillows, 
said they, Avere thought meet only for women in childbed. As 
for servants, if they had any sheet above them, it was well ; for 
seldom had they any under their bodies to keep them from the 
prickling straws, that ran oft through the canvas, and rased 
their hardened hides. The third thing they tell of, is the ex- 
change of treen platers, so called, I suppose, from tree or wood, 
into pewter, and wooden spoons into silver or tin. For so 
common were all sorts of treen vessels, in old time, that a 
man should hardly find four pieces of pewter of which, one was 
peradventure a salt, in a good farmer's house"! Erasmus attrib- 

*Macaulay's History of England, vol. 1, p. 317-318. 
fHume's History of England, vol. 3, p. 465. 



236 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

utes the frequent plagues, in England, to the filthiuess, dirt and 
slovenly habits of the common people ; at the time above refer- 
red to, he says, " the floors are commonly of clay, strewed with 
rushes, under which lies, unmolested, an ancient collection of 
beer, grease, fragments, bones, spittle, excrements of dogs and 
cats, and ever}' thing that is nasty." 

Comparing the condition of the working men and the poorer 
classes, in the sixteenth century, with their poor fare and un- 
comfortable dwellings, so poorly furnished, with the condition 
of the same classes, with their comfortable homes, and im- 
proved means of subsistence and education, at the present time, 
we are brought to the inevitable conclusion that great advances 
have been made. It is true that, since the close of the war, 
and especially since the decreased demand for labor, the country 
has been greatly infested with a class of vagrants, popularly 
called "tramps," yet the number of these will hardly bear 
comparison with those which existed in the reign of Henry 
VIII. and his immediate successors. This class of persons is 
defined, by the Massachusetts Statute in the following ferms : — 

"Rogues and vagabonds, idle and dissolute persons, who 
go about begging, persons who use an}' juggling or unlawful 
games, or plays, common pipers and fiddlers, stubborn children, 
runaways, common drunkards, common night walkers, pilferers, 
lewd, wanton, and lascivious persons, in speech or behavior, 
common railers and brawlers, persons who neglect their calling, 
or employment, misspend what they earn and do not provide 
for themselves, or for the support of their families, and all other 
idle and disorderly persons, including therein those persons 
who neglect all lawful business and habitually misspend their 
time by frequenting houses of ill-fame, gaming-houses or tip- 
pling shops, may, upon conviction, be committed, for a term 
not exceeding six months, to the house of correction, or the 
house of industry or work-house within the city or town Avhere 
the conviction is had, or to the work-house, if any there is, in 
the city or town in which the offender has a legal settlement, if 
such town is within the county."* 

♦Massachusetts General Statutes, chap. 165, sect. 28. 



HISTOBY OF GARDNEB. 237 

The question of how to abate this evil, is engaging the atten- 
tion of our Massachusetts legislature at the time of this writing, 
March 2«3th, 1878. Various opinions exist as to the best 
methods to be pursued, no new legislation being thought nec- 
essary, unless it be to provide for a better enforcement of the 
above statute, under the vigilance of the state detective force. 
The general opinion is, that vagrancy, in all countries, is fos- 
tered by indiscriminate almsgiving, which is not charity. In 
confirmation of such an opinion, Mr. Lambert, late poor-law 
inspector of England, says, " I cannot too emphatically enforce 
my conviction, that, as long as the public persists in bestowing 
alms upon valiant beggars and sturdy vagabonds, every attempt, 
on the part of those who make or administer the laws for the 
suppression of vagrancy and mendicancy, will, most assuredly, 
prove unavailing." 

That there is a decreasing necessity for the fostering or con- 
tinuance of this evil, is evident from the statistics of the 
Labor Bureau, of Massachusetts, for 1877. According to the 
careful investigation of Col. Wright, of this bureau, with the 
exception of the building trades and unskilled laborers, no large 
bodies of men have been found, out of employment. Since 
1875, there has been an average deduction in wages of nine per 
cent., Avhich corresponds, very nearly, to the decline in gold. 
Wherever the municipal administration did its duty, there was 
much less spent for pauperism in 1877, than in 1875, showing 
the expenditure for paupers to be on the decrease. The con- 
clusion then, is, if men are vagabonds, they are such from 
preference, and as a general rule, should be treated according 
to the provisions of the statute relating to vagrancy. 

It may be thought, by the reader, that a disproportionate 
space is given, in this chapter, to the discussion of vagrancy. 
Our only apology is the greatness of the evil, as it now exists, 
throughout all our towns and states. 

In directing the attention of the reader to that part of the 
history of Gardner, which relates to the care of its paupers, we 
shall be interested in and perhaps somewhat surprised, at the 



238 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

manner in which they were annually disposed of, by vendue or 
auction, previous to the purchasing of the present town farm. 
We are not, however, to associate this method of disposing of 
paupers, with the auction block of the southern slave dealer. 
It was a method of public charity, which the necessity of the 
times demanded. That this unfortunate portion of our inhabi- 
tants have always been well provided for is, unquestionably, 
true. We give the following as an illustration of the manner in 
which the town annually made provision for its poor. 

In the town warant for January 5th, 1789, vol, 1, page 100, 
Town Eecords, we have the following: — 

" To see what method the town will come into, to take care 

and provide for Oliver Upton and his family ; to vendue them 

out to the lowest bidder, or take some other method, as the 

town shall think best when met. Voted, To vendue them to 

the lowest bidder. Voted, To choose a committee to draw the 

conditions of sale. 

Joseph Bacon, Committee. 

"The conditions of the sale of Oliver Upton and wife are 
such, that the lowest bidder have them until March meeting, 
with their household stuff, and to proA ide victuals and drink, 
convenient for them ; and to take care of them. The selectmen 
to take a minute of his household stuff. Also the children to 
be let out to the lowest bidder until the selectmen can provide 
better for them ; and to provide victuals and drink for them. 

Joseph Bacon, Committee. 

" Voted to accept of the report of conditions of sale. Chose 
Ebenezer Eaton vendue master. Oliver Upton and wife bid off 
by Simon Gates, at ten shillings per week. Oldest child bid 
off by Simon Gates, at one shilling per week. Second child, 
bid off by John Hey wood at ten pence per week. Third child, 
bid off by Andrew Beard, at one shilling, two pence per week. 
Fourth child, bid off by Ebenezer Bolton, at one shilling, nine 
pence per week." 



HISTOBY OF GARDNER. 239 

This method, of disposing of the poor, was pursued by the 
town until the year 1841), when the present town farm was 
purchased. For a few years, previous to 1849, the care of the 
poor was left discretionary with the selectmen. In June, 1789, 
there was an article in the town warrant, to see " if the town 
will build a work-house, in order for the poor to be set at work, if 
the town shall think proper, or act anything relating thereunto, 
as they shall think best when met. Voted, That the selectmen 
put this article into the next warrant for a town meeting." 
This article appeared in the warrant for a town meeting Sep- 
tember 14th, 1789. "Voted, To dismiss it.'' Thus began and 
ended all action, of the town, respecting a work-house for the 
poor, until the year 1849, when the following article appeared 
in a warrant for a town meeting, January 1st, of that year : 
" To see if the town will choose a committee to ijurchase a farm 
or house for the more convenient support of their paupers, act 
or transact anything relating thereto. Voted, To choose a 
committee of five to purchase a farm for the support of the 
poor, at their discretion, and report at a future meeting." This 
committee consisted of Messrs. Francis Richardson, Chas. Green, 
Asaph Wood, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Joseph Whitney. March 
5th, 1849, the town " Voted, To accept of the report of the 
committee chosen to purchase a pauper farm. Voted, That the 
treasurer be authorized to give a note to Abraham Stone, for 
three thousand, five hundred dollars, in consideration of pur- 
chasing his farm. Voted, That the overseers of the poor, stock 
and furnish the pauper farm, and that the treasurer be author- 
ized to borrow one thousand dollars for the same." 

At a town meeting held April 2d, 1849, the town "Voted, 
To accept of the following rules and regulations for the gov- 
ernment of the work-house : — " 



240 HI8T0BY OF GARDNER. 

Rules and Regulations for the government of the Work-house in 
the town of Gardner, and duty of the Overseers of the Poor, 
the Master, the Physician and the Inmates of said house. 

POWER AND DUTY OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. 

It shall be the duty of the Overseers of the Poor, to provide for 
all poor and indigent persons, who are, or may be unable to take 
care of and support themselves, and at all times when circum- 
stances will admit, they shall be supported on the farm, which 
the town has purchased for that purpose, which shall be hereafter 
known by the name of Gardner Work-house. And to provide 
suitable stock, farming utensils and household furniture, and to 
make such additions and repairs as are necessary for said estab- 
lishment, and to manage the concerns in the best possible manner, 
and to provide suitable places for all poor children, as soon as 
they can earn their living ; and see that they are brought up to 
some trade or calling, and suitably schooled, and they shall 
constantly keep suitable persons for a master and mistress, and 
such other help as they shall deem necessary, and they shall 
employ a physician to attend to the sick, when requested by the 
overseer or master. Said physician shall keep a record of all 
his visits, the price and for whom said visits were made, for 
which he shall receive such compensation as may be agreed upon 
by him and the overseers, and may be removed at the pleasure 
of the overseers. It shall be the duty of the overseers to meet 
at the work-house on the last Saturday in February, May, Au- 
gust and November, annually, for the purpose of inspecting the 
concerns of the establishment and giving directions to the mas- 
ter. It shall be the duty also, of one of the overseers to visit 
said work-house, as often as once a month, for the purpose of 
inspecting the management of the concerns, the usage of the 
inmates, and giving directions to the master, etc. ; and at their 
meeting in February, they shall take an inventory of all the 
personal property and the betterments, if any, which shall be 
recorded in a book, kept by them for that and other purposes, 
and they shall also keep a record of all persons who are sup- 



X .. 




HISTORY OF GARDjSFEE. 241 

ported in said work-house, the time when they come and the 
time when they go away ; and to record all other matters which 
they shall deem necessary, all of which shall be reported by 
them at the annual March meetinsf. 

POWER AND DUTY OF THE MASTER. 

The master shall have the immediate care and control of the 
inmates, and all the property belonging to the institution, and 
shall give an account of the same to the overseers, when called 
upon by them ; he shall see that the inmates are suitably pro- 
vided with lodging, clothes, victuals and drink, and shall call 
on the overseers for such things as are necessary for that pur- 
pose. It shall also be the duty of the master to see that all 
who are able to labor are employed in such a manner as shall 
be most advantageous to the town, and to instruct in regard to 
the moral character of all persons in his care, and see that the 
Sabbath is duly observed, and to take care of all the fires, see 
that the lights are struck, and that the inmates retire to bed in 
proper season, and that the children in his care are suitabl}^ 
schooled ; and it shall be his duty to punish any ol" the inmates, 
who are refractory or disobedient, and perform all other duties 
which may devolve on him by the direction of the overseers. 

DUTY OF THE INMATES. 

All persons, who are maintained in the work-house, shall be 
under the immediate care and control of the master and mistress 
of the house, and shall not absent themselves from the premises 
without their consent, and such as are able to labor shall labor 
according to the directions of the master. There shall be no 
ardent spirits used on the premises except by special direction 
of the physician. 

The above rules and regulations shall be laid before the town 
at a regular meeting, and when accepted by them, shall be the 
Rules and By-laws of the Gardner Work-house, and shall be 
read at the work-house, in the presence of the master and in- 
mates, at the commencement of each year, by one of the over- 

31 



242 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

seers. These rules and regulations may be altered or amended 
at any legal meeting of the town. 

The town farm consists of two hundred thirty-three and 
twenty-one thirty-seconds acres, including the road. The house 
is large, commodious and in good condition of repair. 

March 7th, 1870, the town voted, that the overseers of the 
poor, with four other persons, chosen by the town, at that 
meeting, be a committee to superintend the construction of a 
new barn on the town farm. The barn is 40 by 72 feet and 
cost the town about $3,000. 

We give, below, the cost of supporting the poor, at the town 
farm, each year since 1860, previous records being inaccessible. 
Also cost of supporting the poor away from the toAvn farm 
since 1860, with the exception of those years of which the 
record is not obtainable. 

Cost of supporting poor, annually, Cost of supporting poor, annually, 

at Almshouse since 1860: away from Almshouse since 1860: 

18G0 $917 33 18G0 $176 62 

1861.,., 1,300 14 1861 232 24 

1862 1,073 22 1862 294 55 

1863 882 48 1863 299 04 

1864 1 ,060 44 1864 

1865 1,004 91 1865 42150 

1866 692 95 186G 562 25 

1867 756 19 1867 46154 

1868 708 22 1868 690 22 

1869 997 71 1869 41153 

1870 1,250 02 1870 372 61 

1871 967 87 1871 528 43 

1872 1,304 27 1872 738 97 

1873 1,258 29 1873 

1874 1,459 67 1874 

1875 1,756 14 1875 

1876 2,544 67 1876 

1877 1,223 45 1877 1,194 88 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 243 

Names of masters of the Work or Almshouse from its estab- 
lishment in 1849, to the present time : — 

Abram Stone 1849-1851 . Isaac B. Hathaway. . . 1869-1870 

John V. Platts 1852-1857 Levi P. Wood 1871-1872 

Daniel S. Elkins 1858-1861 Albert Sanderson 1873-1876 

Washburn Whitney, . . 1862 T. D. Marstin 1877 

Artemas S. Hubbard .1863-1868 Albert Sanderson 1878 

According to the secretary's report for the Board of State 
Charities, the returns show that two hundred and twenty-two, 
of the three hundred and forty-two cities and towns in the state, 
provided for their paupers during the pauper year ending March 
31st, 1877, in almshouses. The whole number of persons sup- 
ported at these establishments, within the year above named, 
w%as six thousand one hundred and sixty-six. The number of 
persons supported out of almshouses, was two thousand five 
hundred and five. The average cost, per week, for each pauper, 
in the almshouse, is two dollars and forty-four cents ; the 
average cost per week, for each pauper outside the almshouse, 
is three dollars and forty-eight cents. 



244 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER X. 

VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. 

"A place for everything, and everything in its place." 

— Benjamin Franklin. 
" Variety's the source of joy below, 

From which, still fresh revolving pleasures flow."— G'rai/. 
" Variety's the very spice of life, 
That gives it all its flator." — Cowper. 

IN this chapter, we shall speak of the various organizations 
that have been in existence, in this town, shice its incorpor- 
ation, some of which still exist, and some, having had their day 
and done their work, have ceased to be. 

MILITARY. 

" Sound all the lofty instruments of war. 
And by that nnisic, let us all embrace." 

—First Part King Henry IV., Act. F., Scene- 11. 

The year 171)4, is distinguished in American history, for the 
celebrated defeat, by General Wayne, of the Indians of the 
Northwest, as well as for the famous Whiskey Insurrection in 
Pennsyhania, when, as General Washington expressed it, " the 
contest' was " whether a small proportion of the United States 
shall dictate to the whole Union." It was a year of feverish 
excitement, througfhout the nation, requiring unusual vigilance, 
on the part of those in authority, lest the liberty, secured by 
the war of the Revolution, should be sacrificed by the spirit of 
anarchy, so rife in many quarters. Acting upon the principle, 
that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the au- 
thority of the commonwealth, issued its order to all towns for 



HISTORY OF GARDNEU. 245 

their quotas of men, Avho should be ready at a minute's warning 
for any military service that might be required of them. 

Accordingly a town meeting was called, August 4th, 1794, 
" To see what method the town will come into, to raise the men 
that are now sent for, to stand at a minute's warning, agreeable 
to order now sent to town, or act anything relating thereto, as 
they shall think best when met." Upon this article, the town 
" Voted, To make some consideration to the soldiers' pay, more 
than what the continent has made, in case they are called for." 
" Voted, To make up the wages to the soldiers, in case they are 
called and have to march, forty shillings per month, with what 
the continent and state shall give, as wages, and twenty shillings 
bounty, per man, the bounty to be paid when the men march. 
It is to be understood always, the soldiers that are raised, in 
this town, should march and the continent or the state should 
give them forty shillings per month, and twenty shillings boun- 
ty, then the town is not to give them any bounty or wages." 
Who these men were, or how many, is not given in the record. 
October Dth, 171)7, the town " Voted, To make up to those men, 
that turn out to stand at a minute's warning, if they march, ten 
doliars a month, including what the continent and state give 
them." 

According to the laws of the commonwealth, a military com- 
pany was formed, with William Bickford, captain.* This 
company continued to perform military duty, as required by 
law, till the time when the statute under which it was created, 
was repealed. The following are the names of the different 
commanders : William Bickford, Reuben Haynes, Samuel 
Edgell, Aaron Greenwood, Abel Kendall, Benjamin Edgell, 
David Nichols, Arna Bacon, Ezra Moore, William Bickford, Jr., 
Ahio Temple, Levi Priest, Ezekiel Howe, Abel Jackson, Bart- 
lett Stoddai-d, Henry Whitney, William Learned, George W. 
Co wee and Ephraim Wright. 

August 10th, 1812, there was an article in the town warrant to 
this effect : "To see if the town will choose a deleofate to meet 

^Revised Statutes, 1836, chap. 12, sec. 5-12. 



246 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

ill county convention at Worcester, on Wednesday, the 12th 
day of August, instant ; to consult upon the alarming situation 
of our country, on the declaration of war, between the United 
States and Great Britain and her Dependencies, and to petition 
the president of the United States, if they see fit, to bring 
about a speedy and honorable peace with Great Britain." 
" Chose Eev. Jonathan Osgood, delegate." 

GARDNER LIGHT INFANTRY. 

Acting in accordance with the spirit indicated in the above 
vote, in 1813, a volunteer company was formed, called the 
Gardner Light Infantry. It was ordered, soon after its organi- 
zation, to South Boston, where it remained, on duty, until the 
close of the war. The following are the names of the commis- 
sioned and non-commissioned officers, belonging to this com- 
pany, at the time they were ordered into service : Ephraim 
Williams, Captain ; Samuel Sawin, Lieut. ; Joel Cowee, Ensign ; 
Ebenczer Bolton, 1st Serg. ; Charles Hoar, 2d Serg. ; Benj. 
Stone, 3rd Serg. : Reuben Wheeler, 4th Serg. Privates : Luke 
Whitney, Josiah Eaton, Joel Wheeler, James Coolidge, Jr., 
Josiah Wilder, Isaac Wilder, David Wilder, Phineas Moore, 
Aaron Conant, Abram F. Glazier, George W. Davis, Seth 
Whitney, Joseph Whitney, 2d, Joseph P. Whitney, Thomas 
Bennett, Jr., Hubbard Kendall, Joseph L. Newell, Pliny Bil- 
lings, David Perley, David Reed, Jr., Isaac Jackson, John 
Woodbury, Nathaniel Wright, Jonas Brick, Amasa Leland, 
Farwell Conant and Benjamin Edgell. William Fenno, drum- 
mer ; Levi Divol, bass drummer; Edward Loud, fifer. 

The following were the officers of this company : Ej)hraim 
Williams, Joel Cowee, Reuben Wheeler, Benjamin Stone, 
Thomas Bennett, Jr., Isaac Jackson, Martin Dunster, Luther 
Alden and Isaac P. Kendall. This company continued its 
existence for about twenty years, under the command of the 
above named officers, and enjoyed the reputation of being 
spirited and well disciplined. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 247 



GARDNER GREYS. 

lu 1844, a military company was formed, called the Gardner 
Greys. The following is a list of the officers and privates in 
this company : — 

James Coolidge, 2d, Capt. ; David Kendall, Joseph Wood 
and Hiram Wood, Lieuts. ; Charles Leland, Quarter-master; 
John W. Hill, Henry C. Hill, Aaron B. Jackson, Edwin A. 
Stevens and Alonzo B. Clark, Sergs. ; Josiah A. Jackson, Hosea 
Adams, John H. Peabody and James W. Woodbury, Corporals ; 
Aaron B. Jackson, Treasurer. 

Privates : Edwin Hill, Asher W. Shattuck, James B. Lord, 
Ebenezer Ballou, Alonzo Davis, Addison A. Walker, Joseph 
L. Wheeler, William B. Hill, George A. Glazier, Nathan A. 
Gates, John M. Seaver, Edwin Howe, Charles E. Bickford, 
Abijah Hinds, Jr., Merrick Adams, William H. Learned, Still- 
man D, Colburn, Harrison R. Rawson, Lysander B. Jaquith, 
William T. Peabody, Chas. Noyes, Hiram Williams, Elijah W. 
Foster, John H. Walker, Albert Bickford, J. H. Sperling, Geo. 
T. Lowell, Ai Stone, J. P. Lynde, Ransom Bolton, Belarmin 
Bolton, Luke Whitney, R. G. Reed, Daniel Adams, Ephraim 
S. Bowker, Luther B. Walker, Samuel Hodgman, B. G. Coch- 
ran, Asa F. Smith and Benjamin H. Rugg. 

D. G. FARRAGUT POST NO. 116, G. A. R. 

This Post was organized January 6th, 1870. There were, at 
the commencement, seventeen charter members, with the fol- 
lowing officers : G. W. Wilson, P. C. ; D. R. Symonds, S- 
V. C. ; G. H. Pond, J. V. C. : E. P. Brown, Adjt. ; N. W. 
Cramm Q. M. : C. F. Tenney, Surg. ; E. F. Wiley, O. D. ; 
C. H. Newton, O. G. ; R. B. Baker,''S. M. ; H. G. Pollard, Q. 
M. S. The Post has now fifty-one members. Since its organ- 
ization, it has expended, for charities, $629.90, besides the 
amount which comrades have bestowed from their private 
purses, which is probably an equal amount. Assisted by an 
annual appropriation of the town, this Post, upon Decoration 



248 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Day, strews the graves of their fallen comrades, in the various 
cemeteries of the town, with flowers furnished by the friends of 
the soldiers, after which, assembling in the Town Hall, they 
listen to an oration, pronounced by some gentleman of their 
own selection. The present oflScers are ; O. F. Smith, P. C. ; 
C. Beckwith. S. V. C. ; J. B. Thompson, J. V. C. ; H. Clark, 
Adjt. ; E. J. Gushing, Q. M. ; J. W. Clapp, Surg. ; J. W. 
Walcott, O. D. ; D. O. Remingt(m, O. G. ; M. V. Coburn, 
S. M. ; J. F. Ashley, Chap. 

HOPE LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS. 

" The world is in pain, 

Our secrets to gain ; 

But still let them wonder and gaze on, 

For they ne'er can divine 

The word nor the sign 

Of a Free and Accepted Mason." 

The first regular communication, of Hope Lodge, was held in 
Free Mason Hall, Gardner, Tuesday evening, March 22d, 1864. 
Charles Heywood, M. ; Henry C. Hill, S. W. ; Edward J. Saw- 
yer, J. W. ; Alonzo B Clark, Treas. ; George Heywood, Sec. ; 
George E. Woodman, S. D. ; George Nichols, J. D. ; L. S. 
Stowe, S. S. ; Andrew J. Moore, J. S. 

Charter members: Levi Heywood, Horace Whitney, Charles 
Heywood, Henry C. Hill, Edward J. Sawyer, Alonzo B. Clark, 
George Heywood, George E. Woodman, George Nichols, Alvin 
M. Greenwood, Nathaniel Holmes, James H. Greenwood, F. 
C. Whitcomb. The hall now occupied by Hope Lodge, is in 
the attic story of the Town Hall, which, in accordance Avith a 
vote of the town, February 18th, 1865, was leased for a term 
of years. This room was prepared and elegantly furnished, for 
the use of the Lodge, in the spring of 1865, and was dedicated, 
by members of the Grand Lodge, in April of the same year, 
since which time it has continued in a flourishing condition, care 
being taken, to preserve the high tone of its membership, in 
which it was instituted. The regular meetings of this lodge 
are held monthly, on or before the full moon. The ofiicers of 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 249 

the present year are : Marcus H. Howe, W. M. ; Frank W. 
Ciimmings, S. W. ; Charles F. Read, J. W. ; John W. Hill, 
Treas. ; John C. Stone, Sec. ; Rev. E. A. Read, Chap. ; Chas. 
N. Edgell, M. ; Henry H. Adams, S. D. ; Albert Lovejoy, J. 

D. ; Andrew C. Upham, S. S. ; Arthur W. Brown, J. S. ; 
George W. Lusk, I. S. ; Lucian N. Hadley, Organist; John 
Dustin, Tyler. 

Past Masters : Charles Hey wood, Henry C. Hill, Edward J. 
Sawyer, John D. Edgell, Frank W. Cummings, Charles F. 
Read, William Stone. 

Committee on Charity : Henry C. Hill, Ezra Osgood, Chas. 

F. Read. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. 
" Frieudship, Love and Truth." 

The William Ellison Lodge, No. 185, of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted March 19, 1878, with a 
membership of thirty-two. The professed objects of American 
Odd Fellowship are "to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, 
bury the dead and educate the orphan, to improve and elevate 
the character of man, imbue him with proper conceptions of 
his capabilities for good, enlighten his mind, enlarge the sphere 
of his affections, and lead him to the cultivation of the true 
fraternal relation, designed by the great Author of his being." 
The hall of this lodge is located near the depots, over Messrs. 
Howe Brothers' grain store. 

The following is a list of officers chosen at the institution of 
the lodge : J. Warren Spring, N. G. ; H. O. Tubbs, V. G. ; 
W. H. Cowee, Sec. ; J. J. Dunn, Treas. ; A. W. Wilson, W. ; 
C. O. Plantier, C. ; J. S. Garner, O. G. ; A. M. Richards, I. 

G. ; E. N. Goddard, R. S. N. G. ; F. A. Laws, L. S. N. G. ; 

E. L. Gates, R. S. V. G. ; W. B. Heathtield, L. S. V. G. ; C. 

F. Woodbury, R. S. S. ; H. D. Lusk, L. S. S. ; C. H. Spring, 
Organist ; W. W. Tandy, Chaplain. 



32 



250 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS. 

" Eriu, iny country! though sad and forsaken, 

In dreams I revisit thy sea-beaten shore ; 
But, alas ! in a for foreign land I awaken, 

And sigh for the friends who can meet me no more !"' 

— Thomas Campbell. 

The Ancient Order of Hibernians was organized February 
ocl, 1873, with the following officers: Thomas F. Carney, 
President; Daniel Reagan, Vice President; Daniel McKeough, 
Recording and Financial Secretary ; John F. Barnes, Treasurer. 
The motto of this order is " Friendship, Unity and True Chris- 
tian Charity." The present officers are as follows : Henry F. 
Carney, President; Timothy Mclnerney, Recording Secretary; 
John J. Maloney, Financial Secretary ; John F. Barnes, Treas- 
urer. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Hear the loud alarum bells — 
Brazen bells ! 
What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells ! 
In the startled ear of night 
How they scream out their affright ! 
Too much horrified to speak. 
They cau only shriek, shriek, 
Out of tune. 
In the clamorous appealing to the mercy of the fire, 
In a mad expostulation with the deaf and frantic fire 
Leaping higher, higher, higher, 
With a desperate desire. 
And a resolute endeavor, 
Now — now to sit or never, 
By the side of the pale-faced moon. 
Oh, the bells, bells, bells. 
What a tale their terror tells 
Of despair! 
How they clang, and clash, and roar ! 
What a horror they outpour 
On the bosom of the palpitating air!" — l^oe. 

It Avas not until the year 1833, that the town took any action 
looking to protection from fire, by furnishing itself with fire 
engines. In the warrant for the annual town meetinsr of that 



HISTORY OF GABDNER, 251 

year, there was an article to see " if the town will raise two 
hundred dollars, to be appropriated towards two engines, for 
the purpose of guarding against loss by fire, act or transact 
anything relating thereto." " Voted, To raise two hundred 
dollars, to be laid out to purchase tw^o engines. Voted, To 
chpose a committee of three at the Centre of the town and three, 
at the South Village, to see to the purchasing of two engines. 
Chose Moses Wood, Smyrna Glazier, Walter Heysvood, com- 
mittee for the Centre of the town. Chose Abijah M. Severy, 
Walter Greenwood, Adams Partridge, committee for the South 
Village. Voted, That one engine be located in the Centre of 
the town, and the other at the South Village. Voted,' To have 
the committee draw on the town treasurer for the money, as 
soon as they procure the engines and get their engine houses 
ready." These engines cost two hundred dollars each ; individ- 
uals subscribing what the town did not appropriate. The 
engine house, at the Centre, was located where now stands the 
National Bank Building: that at the South Village, near the 
corner of what are now called Broadway and Prospect Streets, 
opposite the store of Messrs. S. W. A. Stevens & Son. The 
engine at the South Village was familiarly known by the name 
of the " Pine Tub," and is now owned by Messrs. A. Bancroft 
& Co. These engines, of course, were small and incapable of 
very great service. 

Feeling the n^ed of greater facilities for protection against 
fire, the town voted, March 13, 1852, " to choose a committee 
of five, to procure two fire engines, one situated at South Gard- 
ner, so called, and the other situated near the Centre Village, 
in Gt^i'dner, and the expense not to exceed one thousand dollars 
each. Chose Levi Hey wood, Calvin S. Greenwood, Thorley 
Collester, Levi H. Sawin, Amasa Bancroft, that committee." 

It appears from the records, that there was an attempt made 
to reduce the amount appropriated at the annual meeting, for 
fire engines. At the April meeting, 1852, there was an article 
in the town warrant, " to see if the town will so annul the vote 
passed at a meeting of said town, on the 13th day of March, 



252 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1852, choosing a committee to purchase two fire engines at a 
sum not exceeding one thousand dollars each, so as to make it 
read, not exceeding five hundred dollars each, instead of one 
thousand dollars, act or transact anything relating to said vote." 
"Voted, To pass over this article." September 6th, 1852, the 
town voted, "that the committee locate the engine house on 
either side of Messrs. Levi Heywood & Go's counting house, as 
the said committee, chosen for that purpose, may deem it best." 
The engine house at the Centre is located on Central Street, 
near the shop of Messrs. Heywood Bros. & Co. That at South 
Gardner, is located on Broadway, near the chair shop of Messrs. 
Wrio-ht & Read. Both of these buildings are two stories in 
height. The upper story, in each of these buildings, contains a 
hall, for the accommodation of the engine companies, whose walls 
are decorated with pictures, appropriate for such places. The 
names of the two fire companies are, at the South Village, 
" Cataract No. 1," and at the Centre, " Torrent No. 2." 

CATARACT NO. 1. 

This company was organized, November I5th, 1852, taking 
the name of " Cataract Engine Company No. 1.'' The follow- 
ing is the Constitution and B3''-Laws of this company : — 

PREAMBLE. 

We, the subscribers, hereby associate ourselves together as 
members of a company to be attached to Cataract Engine No. 
I, in South Gardner Village, and do hereby pledge ourselves 
to perform the duties of enginemen in said company, and to 
conform to the by-laws which may be established by a majority 
of the members, of the said company, agreeable to the laws of 
the commonwealth ; and do adopt the following constitution for 
our government : — 

CONSTITUTION. 

Art. 1. This company shall be dc.'^ignated and known as 
Cataract Engine Company No. 1. 

Art. 2. The officers of this company shall be a Foreman, a 
First and Second Assistant Foreman, Clerk, Treasurer and two 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 253 

Stewards, to be choseu annually, on the first Saturday in May. 

Art. 3. Stated meetings of this company shall be held at the 
engine house on the first Saturday of e^ery month, at a quarter 
to seven o'clock, p. m., unless otherwise ordered by vote of the 
company. 

Art. 4. Ten members, exclusive of the presiding officer and 
clerk, shall form a quorum ; and in all cases, not otherwise 
ordered, a majority of those present shall govern. 

Art. 5. The officers of this company may be removed from 
office, by a vote of three-fourths of the company. 

Art. 6. For all expenditures, except the ordinary current 
expenses of the company, the money shall be appropriated by a 
vote of three-fourths of the members present at a regular meet- 
ing of the company. 

Art. 7. This constitution shall not be altered or amended, 
except by a vote of three-fourths of the members present, at a 
regular meeting. 

Art. 8. All propositions, to alter or amend this constitution, 
must be made in writing, and laid before the company, at least, 
one month before being acted upon. 

BY-LAWS. 

Art. 1. The foreman shall have command of the com- 
pany, when on duty, and shall be respected and obeyed. He 
shall have power to call special meetings, of the company, shall 
preside at all meetings of the company and have the general 
supervision of engine apparatus and engine house, shall annually, 
before the first day of May, transmit, to the assessors, a list of 
all persons who have done duty, in the company, during the 
year preceding, and with the tAvo assistants, shall constitute a 
standing committee 

Art. 2. In the absence of the Foreman, at any meeting of 
the company, the officer next in rank, who maybe present, shall 
have command, and in the absence of all the officers, the oldest 
member of the company present, shall preside until one of the 
officers arrive, or a foreman ^:>ro tern, be chosen. 



254 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

AiiT. 3. The First Assistant shall be Foreman of the suc- 
tion hose and shall select four members, who, under his direction, 
shall have charo-e of the same. The Second Assistant shall be 
Foreman of the leading hose and shall select eight members, 
who, under his direction, shall have charge of the same. The 
hosemen, when not engaged on the hose, shall assist on the 
engine. 

Art, 4. The clerk shall have charge of all the books and 
papers of the company, keep a record of all the proceedings 
and shall hand a list of all delinquents, at each meeting, to the 
Treasurer, one week after such meeting ; shall keep constantly 
posted up, at the engine house, a list of names of all the mem- 
bers of the company, and shall post a notice of each stated 
meeting of the company, at some place, at least four days pre- 
vious to holding such meeting, and shall receive such compen- 
sation for his services, as the aompany may direct. 

Art. 5. The Treasurer shall have charge of all the funds of 
the company. He shall collect all fines ; receive from town 
treasurer all sums that may be allowed by the town, to the com- 
pany, or that may be received from any other source. He shall 
pay such orders as the standing committee may draw upon him, 
and shall render an account of all mone}^ received and paid out 
by him, at the annual meeting, and at such other times as the 
company may direct. 

Art. 6. The duty of the Stewards shall be to keep the en- 
gine and all the appurtenances thereof, in good and effective 
order, and ready for use, at any moment, and report any repairs 
that are needed, to the Foreman. They shall provide all nec- 
essary refreshments for the company, when on duty, under the 
direction of the standing committee, and for their services, 
shall receive such compensation as the company may direct. 

APtT. 7. All vacancies in the government of the company, 
shall be promptly filled, and the commander shall have power 
to appoint a Clerk ^ro tern.., in the absence of the Clerk. 

Art. 8. To all special meetings, called by the Foreman, the 
company shall be warned by the Clerk, or such other member. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 255 

of the compjiny, as the foreman may appoint, indivicliially or 
by having a written notice left at the usual place of bnsiness or 
abode of such member, at least twelve hours before the time of 
holding such meeting. 

Art. 9. On an alarm of fire, in town, each member shall 
repair forthwith to the engine, assist in forwarding it to the 
place of action, do all reasonable service that may be required 
of him, and shall not depart without leave of the commander. 

Art. 10. The distinguishing badge of this company shall 
be a belt or band, with Cataract No. 1, printed upon the same, 
and shall be worn at such times as the Foreman may direct. 

Art. 11. The following fines shall be imposed upon and 
collected of the respective members, for violation of the follow- 
ing rules : For absence at any stated or regular meeting, at 
first roll call, twelve and one-half cents ; for absence at last roll 
call, twelve and one-half cents ; for absence at an alarm of fire, 
one dollar ; for leaving any stated or special meeting, before the 
company is dismissed, without leave of the commander, fifty 
cents; for leaving at a fire, without permission, two dollars; 
for disobedience of orders, one dollar. 

Art. 12. The standing committee shall have power to remit 
fines, in the folloAving cases : For non-attendance, in the case 
of sickness, of the member himself; for non-attendance at 
special meetings, when not warned of the same ; for absence at 
an alarm of fire Avhen the alarm was not known. All excuses 
must be tendered at or before the next meetins:. 

Art. 13. Any person who shall receive a two-thirds vote of 
the members present, at a regular meeting, may become a mem- 
ber of this company, by signing the constitution, and any 
member may be dischai-ged therefrom by vote of the company. 

Art. 14. All money in the hands of, or due the Treasurer, 
at the annual meeting, shall remain in the treasury unless other- 
wise ordered by vote of the company, but no member shall be 
entitled to a dividend unless he shall have attended, at least, 
four regular meetings, unless by special vote of the company. 



256 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

The following is a list of the first officers of this company : 
Samuel Bent, Foreman; O. C. Jillson, First Assistant; Porter 
Monroe, Second Assistant; J. M. Moore, Clerk; A. Sawtelle, 
Treasurer; William Greenwood, A. C. Bennett, Stewards. 

The Cataract is a well drilled and efficient compan}^ ; it has, 
several times, successfully competed for prizes offered at firemen's 
musters. The following is its record : October 28th, 1868, at 
Orange, 158 feet, prize, $25, which sum was one-half of the 
third prize; September 20th, 1873, at Brattleboro', Vt., 182 
feet, 6 inches, second prize, $200 ; October 6th, 1876, at Win- 
chendon, 174 feet, 4 1-2 inches, third prize, $50 ; September 14th, 
1877, at Athol, 200 feet, 1 1-2 inches, second prize, $75 ; also 
a prize for running, $25. 

The following are the present officers of this company : C. 
O. Bent, Foreman; Amos Coleman, First Assistant; R. L. 
Bent, Second Assistant; W. F. Learned, Clerk and Treasurer; 
G. R. Pratt and Edwin Rice, Stewards. 

TORRENT ENGINE COMPANY. 

This company belongs to the Centre of the town. It was 
organized October oOth, 1852. We give the following, as the 
constitution and by-laws of this company, at the present time : — 

CONSTITUTION. 

Art. 1. This company shall be designated and known as 
Torrent Engine Company, No. 2. 

Art. 2. The officers of this company shall be a Foreman, 
First and Second Assistant Foreman, Clerk, Treasurer and two 
Stewards, to be chosen annually, by ballot, on the first Monday 
in May. 

Art. 3. Stated meetings shall be held on the first Saturday 
in every month. 

Art. 4. Ten members, exclusive of the presiding officer 
and clerk, shall form a quorum ; and in all cases not otherwise 
directed, a majority of those present shall govern. 

Art. 5. The officers of the company shall be liable to be 
removed from office by a vote of three-fourths of the members 
of the company. 



HISTOKY OF GARDNER. 'ibl 

Art. 6. For call expenditures, except the ordinary current 
expenses of the company, the money shall be appropriated by 
a vote of three-fourths of the members present at a regular 
meeting of the company. 

Art. 7. Every active member who shall perform engine 

duty for one 3^ear, shall receive , minus his fines ; and 

every active member who shall perform engine duty for less 
than a year shall receive a month, minus his fines. 

Art. 8. All by-laws or resolves shall be equally binding 
with the constitution, provided always that no by-laws or re- 
solves shall be passed by the company repugnant with the tenor 
of this instrument. 

Art. 9. All propositions to alter or amend this constitution 
must be made in writing, and handed to the clerk, whose duty 
it shall be to lay it before the company at least one mouth be- 
fore it is acted upon. 

Art. 10. This constitution shall not be altered or amended 
except by a vote of three-fourths of the members present at a 
regular meeting. 

Art. 11. This company may keep a roll of honorary mem- 
bers, whose duty shall be to keep a general lookout for the in- 
terests of the company ; and who shall annually, in the month 
of May, pay into the treasury the sum of three dollars and 
twenty-five cents. Honorary members may take part in the fes- 
tivities and entertainments of the company the same as other 
members. Honorary members shall be admitted and discharged 
in same manner as other members. 

Art. 12. These articles of the constitution we, the under- 
signed, do hereby bind ourselves to support. 

BY-LAWS. 

Art. 1. The Foreman shall have command of the company 
when on duty, and shall be respected and obeyed accordingly. 
He shall preside at all stated and special meetings, and shall 
have a general supervision of the engine apparatus and engine 
house. 

33 



258 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Art. 2. The Assistants shall aid the Foreman in the perform- 
ance of his duties ; and in case of the absence of the Foreman, 
or vacancy of the office, the First Assistant shall have command ; 
and in case of his absence the Second Assistant shall have com- 
mand ; and in case of the absence of the Foreman and both 
Assistants, the Clerk shall preside and have command of the 
company. 

Art. 3. The Clerk shall have charge of all books and papers 
of the company, keep a record of all proceedings, and shall 
annually, in the month of April, transmit to the selectmen a 
list of members, for their approbation. He shall post or publish 
notices of regular meetings, as the company may direct, on or 
before the morning of the day of the meeting: and, upon ap- 
plication in writing of five members of the company, special 
meetings may be called by the Clerk, leaving individually, or 
causing to be left, at the usual residence of each member, a 
notice of such meeting, or by publishing the same in the Gard- 
ner News. 

Art. 4. The First Assistant shall be Foreman of the suction 
hose, and shall select four members, who under his direction 
shall have charge of the same. The Second Assistant shall be 
Foreman of the leading hose. He shall select eight members, 
who under his direction shall have charge of the same. The 
hosemen, when not engaged on the hose, shall assist on the 
euijine. 

Art. 5. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the 
company, collect all fines, and receive from the toAvn treasurer 
all sums that may be allowed by the town to the company and 
which may be received from any other source. He shall pay 
such orders as the Foreman may draw on him, and render an 
account of all money received and paid by him at the annual 
meeting of the company. 

Art. 6. The duty of the Stewards shall be to keep the 
engine house and all the appurtenances thereto in good and 
effective order and ready for use, report any repairs that are 
wanted, to the Foreman, and keep a general lookout for the in- 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^ER. 259 

terests of the company. They shall provide all necessary re- 
freshments for the company when on clnty, under the direction 
of the commanding officer ; and for such service shall receive a 
reasonable compensation. 

Art. 7. All vacancies in the government of the company 
shall be promptly filled, and the Foreman shall have power to 
appoint a Clerk ^;ro tern, in case of absence of the Clerk. 

Art. 8. The stated meetings of the company shall be held 
at the engine house, at 7 o'clock, p. m., unless otherwise ordered 
by a vote of the company at any regular meeting. 

Art. 9. On an alarm of fire in town, each member shall 
repair forthwith to the engine, assist in forwarding it to the 
place of action, do all reasonable service which may be required 
of him, and not depart without leave from the commanding 
oflScer. 

Art. 10. The following fines shall be imposed and collected 
of the respective members for violation of the following rules : — 

For being absent at the first roll call, and present at the 
last, twelve and one-half cents. 

For being present at the first roll call, and absent at the 
last, twelve and one-half cents. 

For absence at an alarm of fire in town, fifty cents. 

For leaving any regular or special meeting before the com- 
pany is dismissed without leave from the Foreman, twenty-five 
cents. 

For leaving at a fire without permission, $1. 

For disobedience of orders, $2. 

Art. 11. The roll shall be called at the opening of the 
meeting, and again at the adjournment. 

Art. 12. All excuses for non-attendance at meetings of the 
company, and at fires, shall be made to the Foreman ; and when 
he shall not see fit to determine on the sufiiciency of the ex- 
cuse, he may submit the subject to the company. All excuses 
must be made at or before the next meeting. 

Art. 13, No person shall be admitted a member of this 
company except by a vote of two-thirds of the members pres- 



260 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

entand voting by ballot, " Yes " or " No," at a regular meeting. 

Art. 14. There may be an addition or amendment to these 
by-laws, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any 
regular meeting, — provided this proposed amendment be handed 
to the clerk, in writing, and it be laid before the company at 
least one month previous to its being acted upon 

Art. 15. Any active member who does not attend four regu- 
lar meetings during the year, shall receive no pay for services 
as fireman, and his name may be dropped from the roll by a vote 
of two-thirds of the members present and voting at a regular 
meetins;. 

The following are the names of the first officers of this com- 
pany : Joel Cowee, Foreman ; George L. Peckham, First 
Assistant; Merrick Adams, Second Assistant; C. Thompson, 
Jr., Clerk and Treasurer ; John Burdick, First Stew^ard ; G. F. 
Conant, Second Steward. 

This is also a well trained and efiicient company, possessing 
much of the esprit de corps, which ought to characterize such 
organizations, to whom is intrusted, to so large a degree, the 
preservation of so much property. 

The following is the record of this company, in its successful 
competition for prizes, at firemen's musters : October 20th, 
1870, at Greenfield, 192 feet, third prize, $100; October 
6th, 1876, at Winchendon, 174 feet, 4 1-2 inches, first prize, 
$175; July 4, 1877, at Peterboro', N. H., 200 feet, 2 inches, 
first prize, $25. There was a local contest in September, 1870, 
between Cataract No. 1 and Torrent No. 2. There were two 
prizes offered, one of $50 for the best horizontal playing, and 
one of $25 for the quickest time in running ten rods, setting 
machine and playing through three hundred feet of hose, a dis- 
tance of fifty feet. The first prize was won by Torrent No. 2, 
the second by Cataract No. 1 . 

The following is a list of the present oflScers of this com- 
pany : C. N. Edgell, Foreman ; Harvey Clark, First Assistant ; 
H. C. Wood, Second Assistant; S. W.Howe, Clerk and Treas- 
urer; F. P. Cowan, J. W. Thompson, Stewards. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 261 

The following are the engineers of the Fire Department for the 
year 1877 : Ezra Osgood, Chief Engineer ; S. W. A. Stevens, 
First Assistant ; Walter Bancroft, Second Assistant and Tub 
Engineer ; L. L. Sawin, Third Assistant and Clerk ; F. P. 
Learned, Fourth Assistant; J. M. Moore, Fifth Assistant and 
Tub Engineer; Edmund Coleman, Sixth Assistant. 

The following are the expenses of the Fire Department for the 
year above mentioned : Cataract Engine Company No. 1, ser- 
vices of sixty men, for one year, at $7.50 per man, $450; 
expenses of company, $5G. 27. Torrent Engine Company No. 
2, services of sixty men for one year, at $7.50 per man, $450 ; 
expenses of company, $113.76: Services of engineers, $52.50. 
Total, $1122.53. 

SPECIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE FIRE DE- 
PARTMENT. 

Art. 6. If any member of either of the several companies 
belonging to the Fire Department shall wilfully neglect or refuse 
to perform his duty, or shall be guilty of disorderly conduct, 
disobedience to the officers or to any engineer, he may for such 
oflence be discharged from the Fire Department, and shall be 
liable to a fine of not less than two nor more than ten dollars. 

Art. 8. All members of the Fire Department, while on 
duty or drill, shall wear such badges as are provided for them ; 
and any member refusing or neglecting to wear the same, until 
the several companies shall be dismissed at roll call, shall forfeit 
all pay for his services for three months previous to such refusal 
or neglect, unless he can furnish an excuse that shall be satis- 
factory to a majority of engineers. 

Art. 11. It shall be the duty of the Foreman of the com- 
pany to make, or cause to be made, on the last Monday of 
April, annually, to the Chief Engineer, a statement of the con- 
dition of the engine or other apparatus, with an inventory of 
all the other property intrusted to his care and belonging to the 
town, too:ether with a correct list of the names of the members. 
It shall be his duty to see that said property is properly taken 



262 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

care of, uucl to report any deficiency, defect or Avant of repair 
therein as soon as known to him, to the Chief Engineer if 
practicable, if not, to any Assistant Engineer. He shall also see 
that the engine, house and other apparatus are kept ueat, clean 
and read}^ for immediate use, and the passage to said house 
clear of snow or other obstructions. He shall have (subject to 
the board of engineers, or any member thereof) the entire com- 
mand of the company at all times. 

Art. 12. It shall be the duty of the Foreman to make, or 
cause to be made, a monthly re[)ort to the board of engineers 
of all officers chosen and all resignations, discharge of members 
and all cases of neglect of duty or disobedience of orders. 

It shall also be his duty to cause the engine to be taken out 
and worked once at least in each of the following months, viz. : 
May, June, Jul}^ August, September, October and November. 

Art. 13. Any member of the company expecting to be 
absent from town thirty da3's or more shall be required to pro- 
cure a substitute to be approved by the Foreman, whose name 
he shall hand to the Clerk of the company. But no member 
shall be allowed a substitute except in sickness or absence from 
town, and in no instance for a longer period than two months, 
except in case of sickness. 

Art. 15. Every member of the Fire Department shall be held 
responsible for an}' property of the department entrusted to his 
care ; and in case of loss or damage, through neglect, its value 
shall be deducted from his compensation. 

The town has provided large reservoirs in difl'erent localities, 
within its limits, for the convenience of the Fire Department, 
whose ability and readiness afford our citizens a sense of security 
against the destruction of property by fire. 

RULES FOR ALARMS OF FIRE. 

After an alarm of fire has been sounded in either village, if 
assistance is needed from the other, a second alarm must be 
sounded. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 263 

It, after a second alarm has been sounded, it is found tliat no 
assistance is required, a third alarm signal of four short whistles 
to be followed by four more in about half a minute, should be 
given. 

September 5th, 1877, there was a Firemen's Muster, in this 
town, at which were assembled nineteen machines, from various 
parts of this state and Ncav Hampshire. The companies, in their 
march about town, made a fine appearance. Mr. Ezra Osgood 
acted as chief marshal Avith Messrs. S. W. A. Stevens and L. 
L. Sawinasaids. The playing took place on Pine Street. Four 
hundred and twenty-five dollars were offered as prizes. The 
following is a list of the successful companies, with the sum of 
money taken by each, as a prize : First prize, $200, Volunteer 
No. 4 of Peabody ; second, $100, Excelsior No. 1 of Wilton, 
N. H. ; third, $75, Phoenix No 6, of Brattleboro', Vt. ; fourth, 
$50, Bay State No. 1 of East Templeton. 

GARDNER DRIVING PARK ASSOCIATION. 

" There's something in a flying horse, 

There's something in a huge balloon." 
'• A horse ! a horse ! my kingdom for a horse !" 
"I wish your horses swift, and sure of foot." 

This Park is situated in the northern part of the town, about 
two miles from the Centre, and is enclosed on all sides by a 
high fence. It is said, by experts, to be the best half-mile track 
in all the region. This association was organized June 2d, 
1875, with a paid up capital of $1,250; authorized capital, 
$3,000. The first otficers of this association were as follows : 
R. F. Andrews, M. D., President; Charles Heywood, Vice 
President ; John D. Edgell, Secretary and Treasurer ; W. P. 
Allen, li. F. Andrews, M. D., L. L. Sawin, Charles Heywood, 
John D. Edgell, Directors. The best time ever made, in any 
race, on this track was one mile, in two minutes and forty-three 
seconds. Present officers : Charles Heywood, President ; E. 
F. Andrews, M. D., Vice President; V. W. Howe, Secretary 
and Treasm-er. 



264 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

GARDNER RIFLP: CLUB. 

"A straight line is the shortest distance between two points." 

This club was organized September 1st, 1875. The object 
of it is expressed in the following terms: "We, the un- 
dersigned, agree to form a Rifle Club, for the purpose of 
practicing ofl-hand shooting and for our mutual benefit and 
pleasure." The range of the club, is upon the farm of Mr. 
Seneca Partridge, in the southeast part of the town, where the 
members of this club practice, every Saturday, during the 
summer. The membership is limited to twenty-five. Fee 
for admission, two dollars. Annual tax, one dollar. The 
following are the present officers : H. C. Kuowlton, Presi- 
dent ; C. O. Bent, Vice President; Frank E. Nichols, Secre- 
tary and Treasurer. 

CRYSTAL LAKE STEAMBOAT COMPANY. 

" Multum in parvo." 

This company was organized, in the summer of 1875, with 
the following officers: G. W. Garland, M. D., President; J. • 
J. Dunn, Secretary and Treasurer; G. W. Garland, M. D., 
H. C. Knowlton, J. W. Hill, Directors. July 1st, 1875, this 
company purchased a small screw steamer, called the " Little 
Favorite," capable of seating thirty persons and costing $650. 
This steamer is in great demand, by the numerous excursion 
parties, which gather at Crystal Lake Grove, during the sum- 
mer months, as well as by private parties, on Saturday after- 
noons and pleasant evenings of the week, the trip around the 
lake costing only ten cents. 

SOVEREIGNS OF INDUSTRY. 

" Providence has so contrived that our daily food is not to be procured 
without much pains and labor. — Addison." 

The Gardner Council, No. 33, of the order of Sovereigns of 
Industry, was organized by Deputy J. H. Sampson, of the 
National Council, at the Grand Army Hall, on Thursday even- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 265 

ing, Feb. 26th, 1874, with twenty-two charter members, viz. : A. 
L. Greenwood, A. B. Minott, Franlv E. Nichols, L. C. Lyncle, H. 
P. Coleman, J. N. Adams, E. P. Noyes, J. W. Clapp, G. C. Cor- 
nish, C. H. Eaton, A. C. Kendall, H. S. Coleman, G. R. Pratt, 
Edmund Coleman, Joel Nichols, Jonas Joslin, A. H. Howard, 
B. Barrett, George S. Talcott, Asa P. Whitney, D. O. Eem- 
ington and O. C. Jillsou. The organization was completed by 
the choice of the following officers : A. B. Minott, H. M. ; E. 
P. Noyes, Secretary; O. C. Jillson, Overseer; J. W. Spring, 
Treasurer; J. W. Clapp, Lecturer; G. R. Pratt, Steward; 
Asa P. Whitney, Inside Guard ; L. C. Lynde, Outside Guard ; 
Aaron L. Greenwood, George S, Talcott and J. W. Spring, 
Investigating Committee. This council has had a membership of 
four hundred, since its organization, and is, at the present time, 
in a prosperous condition. The store belonging to this council, 
is situated near the depots. Its meetings are held at the G. A. 
E,. Hall every Saturday evening. 

The following are its officers for 1878 : J. H. Minott, Presi- 
dent ; B. T. Joslin, Vice President; A. K. Learned, Secre- 
tary ; L. A. Wheeler, Assistant Secretary ; J. W. Clapp, 
Treasurer; G. R. Pratt, Ellen Holt, Stewards; M. C. Gould, 
Inside Guard. 

MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS. 

" The mau that hath no music in himself, 
Nor is not mov'cl with concord of sweet sounds, 
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils ; 
The motions of his spirit are dull as night, 
And his affections dark as Erebus ; 
Let no such man be trusted." 

— Merchant of Venice, Act V., Scene I. 

There is in souls a sympathy with sounds : 

And as the mind is pitch'd the ear is pleased 

With melting airs, or martial, brisk, or grave ; 

Some chord in unison with what we hear 

Is touch'd within us, and the heart replies." — Coioper. 

Almost from the . date of incorporation, to the present 
time, the people of Gardner have ever shown a commendable 

34 



266 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

degree of interest in musical cnlture. At the annual town 
meeting, March 7th, 1791, the town " Voted, To grant some 
money to hire a singing master." "Voted, To raise twelve 
dollars." "Voted, That Samuel Edgell and Jonathan Green- 
wood be a committee to provide a singing master and lay out 
this money." Again in 1792, at the annual town meeting, it 
was " Voted, To raise three pounds, twelve shillings, to hire a 
singing master, for the present year." "Voted, To choose a 
committee to lay out this money, to the best advantage for the 

schools." 

BANDS. 

In 1855, there were two bands formed in this town ; the one 
in the Centre was called the Gardner Cornet Band, and was 
composed of eighteen members. The other, was at South 
Gardner, and was called the Mechanics' Cornet Band, consisting 
of nineteen members. 

After a time, the Mechanics' Cornet Band ceased to exist. At 
the breaking out of the Rebellion, several members, of the 
Gardner Cornet Band, went into the arm}- as musicians, and 
were with General Sherman in his march to the sea. After the 
war, this band was reorganized, September 29th, 1865, with 
seventeen members. The following are their names : O. C. 
Jillson, Charles Bancroft, A. T. Greenwood, William Putnam, 
C. A. Mauley, Alvin M. Greenwood, Webster Cowee, Alexan- 
der Priest, J. S. Garner, L. W. Brown, Wilder Merriam, T. 
P. Connery, E. L. Wright, L. L. Sawin, F. P. Learned, J. W. 
Spring and F. M. Stanley. O. C. Jillson, Leader and Director. 

The present members are, Webster Cowee, Alexander Priest, 
L. W. Brown, J. W. Spring, J. S. Garner, G. A. Stone, 
H. C. Boyles, E. A. TwicheU, E. H. Spring, H. C. Priest, 
John Felch, William H. Hey wood and O. F. Smith. 

Since 1874, this band, while it still continues its organization, 
has had onl}' a nominal existence. The leaders were : Messrs. 
Laws, Merriam, Grovner, Rich, Goodale, Richardson, and 
Russell. This band consisted of eighteen members, and 
in the days of its greatest efficiency, was regarded as a very 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 267 

superior organizjition, and was in frequent demand upon im- 
portant public occasions. With numerous other bands, it 
played, in June, 1867, at the great Masonic celebration, in 
Boston, at which time Andrew Johnson, President of the 
United States, was present. This band, with a few others, 
elicited special mention in the Boston papers, for the superior 
manner in which it discoursed music, on that occasion. 

A few of the members, organized January 1st, 1874, under 
the name of " The Gardner Serenade Band," with William 
H. Heywood, Conductor; C. A. Clark, William Putnam, 
R. A. Twichell, Augustus Warren, Charles J. Day, Wilder 
Merriam, members. These gentlemen furnish music on various 
festive occasions, and are highly appreciated for their ability. 

WORCESTER COUNTY NORTH MUSICAL ASSOCIATION. 

This association was formed September 5th, 1851. The fol- 
lowing is its preamble and constitution : — 

PREAMBLE. 

Whereas, It is obvious that the singing of church music, as 
now practiced, has not i-isen to that degree of excellence which 
it ought to obtain in this community, and whereas, it is evident 
from the experience of the past, that without combination, in- 
dividual effort can never succeed, in elevating the present stand- 
ard, and in giving to the execution of this science, the beauty 
and perfection which its claims demand : Therefore, for the 
purpose of meeting this exigency, and of acquiring a more ele- 
vated style, as well as improving ourselves in an abstract knowl- 
edge of the science, we hereby subscribe to the following consti- 
tution : — 

CONSTITUTION. 

Art. 1. This society shall be called the Worcester County 
North Association for Improvement in Sacred Music. 

Art. 2. The officers of said association shall consist of a 
President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and 
an Executive Committee of seven. 



268 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Art. 3. The President shall preside over all the business 
sessions of the association. 

Art. 4. The Vice President may sustain the President, and 
in his absence shall preside over the meeting. 

Art. 5. The Secretary shall record all the acts of the Asso- 
ciation. 

Art. (j. The Treasurer shall hold the funds, and disburse 
them at the order of the Executive Committee. 

Art. 7. The Executive Committee shall determine the time 
of holding meetings, make all necessary notices, be the super- 
visors of the pecuniary concerns of the association, give orders 
to the Treasurer for disbursements and have a general supervi- 
sion of the interests of the association. 

Art. 8. The annual meeting shall be holden during the 
month of September, at Gardner. 

Art. 9. The officers shall be chosen annually, by ballot, on 
the evening preceding the last day's session of the convention, 
unless otherwise ordered. 

Art. 10. Individuals may become members of the associa- 
tion by subscribing to this constitution. 

Art. 11. This constitution may be altered or amended, at 
any session of the annual meeting, designated for the purpose, 
by a vote of a majority of the members present. 

These conventions were gathered from year to 3^ear, in differ- 
ent towns, in the county, receiving the hospitality of, and form- 
ing pleasant associations w^ith the people of each town. In 1865, 
it was, however, voted that the constitution be so aUered that 
Gardner should be the place at which the convention should 
assemble. In 1871, a further change was made, so that the 
convention should be held alternately at Athol and Gard- 
ner. The success of this association has been such as to war- 
rant its continuance. The meetings have been pleasant occa- 
sions to all lovers of good music, and, as the years go by, we 
find the places of those made vacant by death, filled with others 
"who enjoy the ministry of song. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 269 



YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

" I have written unto you young men, because ye are strong and the woi'd 
of God abideth in you."— 1 John, 2 : 14. 

The Young Men's Christian Association, at the Centre, was 
formed May 27th, 1868. For several years its membership 
continually increased, and much efficient service was done, not 
only in the village, but in the out districts of the town. About 
1874, the association began to decline in interest and numbers, 
the members ceasing to evince anything like an earnest desire 
and determination to continue their accustomed meetings, till, 
at the present time, they have altogether ceased to be held, 
excepting the annual meeting, which occurs upon the first 
Wednesday in May. Mr. Charles W. Bush, who died in 1872, 
left to this association a legacy of two thousand dollars, which 
constitutes its sole fund. This association had a small library 
and formerly held their meetings in the Bank Building. 

There was also a South Gardner Young Men's Christian As- 
sociation, which continued, for a time, to be flourishing and 
useful, but for the last few years has been entirely inoperative. 

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. 

" Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse 
fustiau witli one's own shadow? — O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast 
no name to be known by, let us call thee — devil." 

— Othello, Act II., Scene III. 

It is a matter of universal acknowledgment, that the control 
of the sale of intoxicating drinks, is one of the most difficult 
questions which is constantly demanding the most candid and 
vigilant attention of our legislators and reformers. Nor is this 
a new question, in this country ; it is as old as the Plymouth 
and Massachusetts Colonies, some of whose legislation upon 
this subject, we here introduce, to show how the evils, connected 
with the sale of intoxicating liquors, troubled the Pilgrim Fath- 
ers and demanded their highest legislative wisdom to provide 



270 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

against. As early as 1629, nine years after tlie landing of the 
Pilgrims npon Plymouth Rock, in the " second general letter, 
of the Governor and Deputy of the New England Company, for 
a Plantation in Massachusetts Bay, to the Governor and Council 
for London's Plantation, in the Massachusetts Bay, in New 
England," we have the following petition : — 

" We pray you would endeavor, though there be much strong 
waters sent for sale, yet so to order it, as that the savages may 
not for our lucre sake, be induced to the excessive use, or rather 
abuse of it and at any hand take care our people give no ill 
example ; and if any shall exceed in that inordinate kind of 
drinking as to become drunk, we hope you will take care his 
punishment be made exemplary for all others. Let the laws be 
first published to forbid these disorders, and all others you fear 
may grow up, whereby they may not pretend ignorance of the 
one nor privilege to offend, and then fear not to put good laws, 
made upon good ground and warrant, in due execution. And 
so recommending you and all your affairs to the protection of 
the Almighty, we conclude and rest."* 

That the founders of these colonies, had a vigorous faith in 
the practical utility of sumptuary laws, is clearly evinced by 
their legislation, of which, the following are specimens. At a 
General Court, holden at Newtown, "it is ordered, that no 
person that keeps an ordinary, shall take above five pence a 
meal for a person, and not above one penny for an ale quart of 
beer, out of meal time, under the penalty of ten shillings per 
every oflence, either of diet or beer. Likewise, that victualers, 
or keepers of an ordinary, shall not suffer any tobacco to be 
taken in their houses, under the penalty of five shillings for 
every ofi'ence, to be paid oy the victualer and eleven pence by 
the party that takes it. 

" Further, it is ordered, that no person shall take tobacco 
publicly under the penalty of two shillings six pence, nor pri- 
vately, in his own house, or in the house of another, before 

♦Records of Massachusetts, vol. 1, p. 406. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 271 

strangers, and that two or more shall not take it together any- 
where, under the aforesaid penalty for every offence."* 

If severity of legislative enactment is all that is required, to 
secure the prevention of the evil of intemperance, the Pilgrim 
Fathers certainly gave such legislation a fair test. It did not, 
however, secure the end they so devoutly sought. Further 
legislation seemed to be required. In 1645, we have the fol- 
lowing : — 

"It is ordered, that no man shall be allowed to keep a public 
house of entertainment, for strangers or travelers, nor shall any 
one be a common victualer, innkeeper, or keeper of a cook- 
shop, vintner, taverner, or public seller of wines, ale, beer, 
strong water, without allowance in some Quarter Court, in the 
shire where such do dwell, upon pain of forfeiture of twenty 
shillings per week, while they continue without the said license ; 
nor shall any such persons as have public houses of entertain- 
ment, and have licenses, sell beer for above two shillings an ale 
quart ; neither shall any such person or persons formerly named 
suffer any to be drunk, or drink excessively, or continue tip- 
pling above the space of half an hour, in any of their said 
houses, under penalty of five shillings for every such offence 
suffered ; and every person found drunk in the said houses or 
elsewhere, shall forfeit ten shillings, and for every excessive 
drinking, he shall forfeit three shillings four pence ; for sitting 
idle, and continuing drinking above half an hour, two shillings 
six pence ; and it is declared to be excessive drinking of wine, 
when above half a pint of wine is allowed at one time, to one 
person to drink ; provided that it shall be lawful for any stran- 
gers, or lodgers, or any person or persons, in an orderly way, 
to continue in such houses of common entertainment during 
meal times, or upon lawful business, what time their occasions 
shall require. 

And if any person offend in drunkenness, excessive or long 
drinking, the second time, they shall lay double fines, and if 

♦Records of Massachusetts, vol. 1, p. 126. 



272 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

they fall into the same offence the third time, they shall pay 
treble fines ; and if the parties be not able to pay the fines, then 
he that is found drunk shall be punished with ten stripes, and 
he that offends in excessive or long driidving, he shall be put in 
the stocks for three hours, when the weather is seasonable, and 
if they offend the fourth time, they shall be put into prison, 
and there remain till they put in two sufficient sureties for their 
good behavior."* 

Although frequent legislation, of this sort occurs, in the 
Eecords of the Massachusetts Colony, it does not seem to have 
availed for the extinguishment of the evil. In 1670, with a 
tone approaching that of despair, the Great and General Court, 
held at Boston, passed the following additional act, for prevent- 
ing drunkenness : — 

Whereas, This Court hath made several laws and orders for 
the prevention of the sin of drunkenness and misspending prec- 
ious time and estate, and yet, notwithstanding, great complaint 
is made of several persons spending their time and estate by 
drinking and tippling in taverns and ale houses, to the great 
dishonor of God and prejudice of their families, for the preven- 
tion whereof, it is ordered, by this Court and the authority 
thereof, that the selectmen of each town shall be and are hereby 
required and empowered to take special care and notice of all 
and every person and persons transgressing as above said, and 
thereupon to require of him or them to forbear the frequenting 
of such houses or taverns ; and if any pei'son shall, after such 
warning given him, be found in any such house of entertain- 
ment, and be legally convicted thereof, before any one magis- 
trate or commissioner, he shall forfeit five shillings, to be paid 
to the treasurer of that town, for every such offence, or sit in 
the stocks, as the judges shall see meet ; and it is further ordered 
that the selectmen shall give notice to the keepers of such 
houses that they sutler no such noted person in any of their 
houses, upon the penalty of twenty shillings for every such defect 
to be paid to the treasurer, as aforesaid.''! 

♦Records of Massachusetts, vol. 2, p. 100. 
fKecords of Massachusetts, vol. 4, p. 4G3. 



HISTORY OF GABJDjSrUR. 273 

It is evident, to the attentive student of our colonial and state 
enactments, that a profuse amount of legislation, concerning the 
liquor traffic, has not been wanting for the last two hundred 
years, the general aim of which has been either to control, or 
entirely to suppress the general sale of intoxicating drinks. 
But has it e^er been effective, in accomplishing the desired end? 
And if not, why not? 

We have seen that, in the earlier days of the colonies of 
Plymouth and Massachusetts, there were frequent enactments of 
what was called a stringent license law, with its various modi- 
fications, as experience, from year to 3'ear, might suggest. We 
are also ftmiiliar with the fact, that for nearly thirty years, pre- 
vious to the year 1875, there was upon our statute books, an 
enactment concerning the sale of intoxicating drinks, with its 
various phases, known as the Prohibitory Law. Since April 
5th, 1875, an act to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors, 
more familiarly known as the License Law, has been in opera- 
tion. Whether license, or prohibition, has been of greater 
utility, in promoting the cause of temperance, is still a question 
upon which the sentiment of real, honest lovers of sobriety, 
industry, good order and temperance, is yet divided. 

The legislation of either sort, that of license or prohibition, 
has seemed to be restrained, heretofore, tiirough a want of 
hearty co-operation and moral support of those of opposing 
views ; so that, it is evident, that neither law can accomplish the 
end for which it was enacted, until the lovers of temperance, 
irrespective of party lines, or political ends, shall combine for 
the execution of the law in accordance with the spirit in which 
it was framed. That there must be legal enactment, as well as 
moral suasion, in reaching the highest and best results, in all 
effective temperance work, is abundantly evident from the expe- 
rience of the past. When these two forces shall be happily 
wedded, in our state, we may expect those fruits for which all 
lovers of temperance are now working. 

Towards the close of the last century, when intoxicating 
drinks, as a beverage, had become hardl}' less than universal, 

35 ^ 



274 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

and drunkenness was everywhere common, there began to be 
awakened in the minds of some who saw, in this evil, a fruitful 
cause of moral and pecuniary ruin, a desire to inaugurate some 
movement looking to its supj^ression. Among these philan- 
thropists was the celebrated Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, who 
wrote forcibly, against the free use of intoxicating beverages. 
There seems, however, to have been no temperance organization 
established in the countr}', until the year 1808, when Dr. J. B. 
Clark of Milton, New York, instituted "The Temperance Society 
of Milton and Northumberland." The constitution of this 
society stipulated that " no member shall drink rum, gin, 
whiskey, wine, or any distilled spirits, or compositions of the 
same, or any of them, except by the advice of a physician, or 
in case of actual disease, (also excepting wine at public dinners,) 
under penalty of twenty-tive cents. Provided, that this article 
shall not infringe on any religious ordinance. No member shall 
be intoxicated under penalty of fifty cents. No member shall 
offer any of said liquors to any other member, or urge any other 
person to drink thereof, under penalty of twenty-five cents." 

In 1813, was formed, the "Massachusetts Society for the 
suppression of intemperance." This movement did not attain 
any considerable momentum, until 1824. In 1826, this reform 
movement had become so potent in its influence, throughout 
New England, as to warrant the formation of an " American 
Temperance Union," which was instituted by Pev. Justin Ed- 
wards, D. D., who was the author of the " Temperance Manual," 
of which, nearly two hundred thousand copies were printed. 
Although total abstinence from distilled spirits, except when 
prescribed as a medicine, was the general requirement, the use 
of wines, cider, or malt liquors was not interdicted. 

GARDNER TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. 

About the year 1829, the first temperance organization, 
of which we have any record, was formed in this tow^n, evidently 
originated by Rev. Sumner Lincoln, who was ordained over the 
First Congregational Church, in 1824. This organization was 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 21b 

called the " Gardner Temperance Society." We give below, 
its constitution and the names of its first signers : — 

CONSTITUTION. 

We, the subscribers, under a deep sense of the great evil and 
vice of intemperance, as it exibts in our country, and for the 
purpose of contributing our influence, to its removal, as friends 
of humanity, virtue and religion, mutually agree to the follow- 
ing articles : — 

Akt. 1. This society shall lie called the Gardner Temperance 
Society, auxiliary to the American Temperance Society. 

Art. 2. Any person, subscribing this constitution, shall be 
a member of this society. 

Art. 3. AVith a sacred regard to truth and honor, we pledge 
ourselves to give, at the annual meeting of this society, a 
strict and impartial account of what quantity of ardent spirits 
and wine we ourselves have personally drank, the preceding 
year, and what it cost. Likewise, to give a true account of 
what we use in our families and what we give those in our 
employ, and our families, and the cost of the same. 

Art. 4. We obligate ourselves to use as small a quantity of 
ardent spirits and wine, as we seriously believe to be necessary 
to health ; and also to use all consistent means to discourage 
the free use of it, in all those within the sphere of our influence. 

Art. 5. The oflScers of this society shall be a President, 
Secretary and Treasurer, to be chosen at each annual meeting of 
the society ; and who shall perform the duties customarily as- 
signed to such ofiicers. 

Art. 6. The society shall meet annually, on the 4th day of 
July, and at such other times as shall be judged necessary, by 
the officers of the society. 

Art. 7. This constitution may be altered at any regular 
meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. 

Names of the first signers : Sumner Lincoln, Lewis Glazier, 
Asa Richardson, Ezra Baker, George Scott, Avery Turner, 
Joel Cowee, Elijah Travers, Joseph Wright, Samuel H. Clark, 



27(; HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Charles Childs, Luke Whitney, Farwell Conant, Joseph Whit- 
ney, 2d, Lyman Conant, John Merriam, Jonathan Bancroft. 

It was not till 1833, at a meeting held in Philadelphia, that 
the i^riuciple of " Total Abstinence from all that may intoxi- 
cate," was first propounded in this country, in a national gath- 
ering of the friends of temperance. The proposition was 
rejected by the convention. However, at its annual meeting, 
held at Saratoga Springs, in August, 1836, the principle of 
total abstinence was adopted by the union, and has ever since 
been the war cry of the champions of temperance. Prominent 
among the pioneer workers in the temperance cause at this time, 
were Dr. Lyman Beecher, author of " Six Sermons on Temper- 
ance," which had a great influence in arousing a public sentiment 
in behalf of temperance, throughout the country, and Dr. 
Eliphalet Nott, President of Union College, who was early and 
honorably known as a sturdy friend of temperance. 

As one of the results of this increasing sentiment, concerning 
the evils of intemperance, we have the Washingtonian move- 
ment, which was originated in Baltimore, Md., by six hard 
drinking men, who occasionally met at a tavern, in that city, 
where, in 1840, they resolved, then and there, to drink no 
more. These men formed a society for the propagation of total 
abstinence among those who, like themselves, had been addicted 
to the use of intoxicatiiTg liquors. All but one of these men 
stood firm to this principle, till their death. The influence of 
this movement soon reached Gardner and resulted in the for- 
mation of a society, for the promotion of temperance, called the 

WASHINGTON TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY OF GARD- 
NER. 

This society was organized February 8th, 1842, with the 
choice of Dr. David Parker as Chairman and Mr. Thomas E. 
Glazier as Secretary. The following is the constitution of this 
society : — 

Art. I. This society shall be called the Washington Total 
Abstinence Society of Gardner. 



HISTORY OF GABDNER. "Ill 

Art. 2. The members of Ihis society agree that they will 
never again drink any intoxicating liquors, except when pre- 
scribed by a medi(;al attendant, and that they will not provide 
them for their friends, or persons in their employ, and that they 
wnll, in all suitable ways, discountenance the use of them in 
the community ; and above all, that they will use their utmost 
endeavors to reclaim and restore to temperance, those who are 
unfortunately addicted to drunkenness. 

Art. 3 The officers of this society shall be a President, 
four Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, to be chosen 
annually. 

Art. 4. The annual meeting of this society shall be holden 
in the last week in May ; officers then to be elected and any 
business transacted that may come before the meeting. 

Art. 5. The officers of this society, shall deliver to their 
successors in office, within one week after they cease to be 
officers, all property belonging to the society. 

Art. 6. Any person may become a member of this society 
by signing the constitution. 

Art. 7. This constitution may be altered or amended by a 
vote of two-thirds of the members present at any meeting, such 
alterations or amendments being proposed in writing at least 
two weeks previous to action thereupon. 

BY-LAWS. 

Art. 1. It shall be the duty of each member to bring for- 
ward and reclaim all inebriates, wherever they may be found, 
and in no case to abandon a drunkard as irreclaimable. 

Art. 2. It shall be the duty of any member of this society, 
to make known any case of habitual drunkenness that may 
come within the limits of this society, in order that the subject 
may be conversed with, and persuaded to abandon the deathly 
drink, and sign the total abstinence pledge. 

Art. 3. If it should so happen that in an unguarded moment, 
any one who has signed the pledge, should partake of any 
alcoholic drink as a beverage, or in any other way violate the 



278 HISTORY OF GABDNER. 

constitution, such committee shall be chosen as is thought proper 
to wait upon the delinquent, and remonstrate with him in a kind, 
affectionate manner, and in no case shall we consider any per- 
sons beyond reform, who, though they have broken their pledge, 
are willing to acknowledge the wrong and show a fixed deter- 
mination to try again. 

Art. 4. Each member shall hold himself or herself ready 
to relieve the wants of any who may need, that none from dis- 
couragement, may be tempted to go back to partake of the 
intoxicating cup. 

Apt. 6. No speaker, whether a member of this society, or 
a stranger, shall introduce in any of his remarks, either politics 
or sectarianism, or personal allusions of any kind, in debate, 
but shall confine himself to the abolition of drunkenness and 
the building up of total abstinent principles. A violation of 
this article will subject the speaker to be called to order by the 
chair. 

The total number of signers, to this constitution, was three 
hundred and ninety-six, at the outset. Isaac Jaquith was the 
first President ; Henry Whitney, James M. Comee, John Kemp, 
Jr., John Comee, Vice Presidents; Thomas E. Glazier, Secre- 
tary ; Theophilus P. Wood, Treasurer. 

As an evidence of the earnestness, with which this society began 
its work, January 25th, 1843, it" Voted, To choose two in each 
school district, to obtain members to the abstinence pledge and 
to serve as a committee to reclaim those who have broken it." 
August 14th, 1843, the society voted to have a picnic, as soon 
as the necessary arrangements could be made. This was the 
day of cold water armies, when the principle of total abstinence 
was inculcated among the children. With this end in view, 
celebrations and picnics were in order, for the benefit of the 
young, as well as those older. Upon the occasion now under 
consideration, the society voted to choose a marshal of the day 
and his assistants. They made choice of Mr. Levi Heywood 
for Chief Marshal. It was also voted that the "ladies write 
letters to the gentlemen, anonymous, if they please, on any 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 279 

subject they wish. The gentlemen to pay ten cents postage on 
all letters, to the number of five or less. The proceeds of the 
postage, to be appropriated towards the expenses of the picnic." 
The society voted, June 24th, 1844, to unite with the various 
sabbath schools, in the town, in the celebration of the coming 
Fourth of July. It appears, from the records of this society, 
that the interest in the temperance movement had so far abated, 
that September 9th, 1846, a suggestion was made, " upon 
the necessity of having lectures before the society, in order to 
arouse the slumbering energies of the total abstinence men," 
showing how quickly the enthusiasm, at first manifested, in this 
movement, had abated. In 1846, the old Washingtonian con- 
stitution and by-laws were annulled. The same year, a new 
society was formed, with a new, yet similar constitution, called 
the 

GARDNER TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. 

Mr. Thorley Collester was its first president. In 1848, Dr. 
David Parker was choseit president. December 21st, 1851, a 
new constitution was adopted. January 11th, 1852, the follow- 
ing board of officers was chosen : Rev. John C. Paine, Pres- 
ident ; Messrs. Thomas E. Glazier, Thorley Collester, Ephraim 
Wright, Amasa Bancroft, Vice Presidents; Alonzo Gould, Sec- 
retary ; Seth Heywood, Treasurer. At this meeting, the 
society " Voted, To choose a committee of two, in each school 
district, to obtain signatures of the legal voters, to petition to 
the legislature for a law similar to the ' Maine Liquor Law,' so 
called." Under this new constitution, the society evidently 
flourished for a number of years, enjoying, from time to time, 
lectures from various individuals, by which the interest in the 
temperance cause was kept revived. At a meeting of this 
society, held in August, 1852, the following individuals were 
chosen a prosecuting committee, "for the purpose of taking 
some action in relation to enforcing the new liquor law, so 
called : Messrs. Henry Lawrence, Benjamin H. Rugg, Joseph 
Whitney, Hubbard Kendall, Ivers Whitney, John Sawin, Nel- 
son P. Wood, Amasa Bancroft, C. W. Bush, Thorley Collester, 



280 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

C. S. Greenwood, Farwell Edgell." That this committee per- 
formed the duty assio^ned it, with discretion, boldness and entire 
thoroughness, is evident from the records of the secretary of 
this organization, who evinces a facetiousness worthy of notice. 
The following is, in part, his record of January 3d, 1853 : "In 
the Boston Times of to-day, appears the following paragraph : — 

" ' There were five seizures of liquor in Gardner, last Thurs- 
day ; three of which were decided adverse to the defendants, 
and the trial of the others was postponed for one week. In the 
evening a bonfire was made, amidst great rejoicing of the 
people.' " 

Says the secretary, "the circumstances in relation to the 
above paragraph appear to be something like the following : 
Our faithful, patient and persevering committee, that was chosen 
last August, to prosecute all known violations of the new anti- 
liquor law, it seems, have not been asleep nor idle. They were 
chosen to annihilate the traffic and pursue the seller to judgment, 
and the above paragraph shows how faithfull}' they have per- 
formed the duties of their oflSce. They have held secret meet- 
ings occasionally, at which the}' have reported what information 
they have been able to obtain, in regard to certain shanties, 
stables, sand-banks and other localities, which had a good deal 
of suspicious manoeuvring about them, and have laid and per- 
fected their plans for their destruction, with so much prudence 
and secrecy, and so simultaneous was the grab made by the 
officers, that nobody, but the officers and the committee, had 
the least idea of what was in the wind, till they saw the ' old 
king himself,' on his way to judgment. Some of those con- 
victed, were fined twenty dollars and costs, while others con- 
cluded they would go to Worcester. In the evening, while the 
liquor was being emptied out, some of the boys tried to set it 
afire, and when they found it was such contemptible, poor stuflf, 
it would not burn alone, they got some drj^ straw and poured 
some of the liquor on that and set fire to it, and in that way, 
made out to get up considerable of a bonfire. The scene was 
witnessed by quite a crowd of spectators, some of whom were 
mad and some were glad." 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 281 

This seems to have been the first real temperance blaze, if 
not the last, which the town has enjoyed. Gradually the Gard- 
ner Temperance Society continued to decrease, in interest and 
numbers, till January 5th, 1870, when its last recorded action, 
by its last secretary, Mr. Charles P. Wood, was made. The pres- 
idents of these societies, besides those already mentioned, were 
Messrs. Benjamin H. Rugg, C. K. Wood, Charles P. W^ood, 
Rev. Samuel J. Austin, Allen Folger, JohuM. Moore and Dea. 
Henry Lawrence. That this society was founded upon the 
right basis and was so conducted as to result in great benefit to 
the town, in promoting the interests of temperance, no one, 
familiar with the facts, will care to dispute. 

SONS OF TEMPERANCE. 

There was an organization, called the Sons of Temperance, in 
this town. The precise date of its rise and disappearance we 
are not able to state, the records of the society not being within 
our reach. 

PHILOKALIA LODGE NO. 82, I. 0. OF G. T. 

A lodge, of the "Independent Order of Good Templars," 
was formed in this town, in January, 1866, and was called 
Philokalia Lodge, which name signifies "love of moral and 
personal beauty." This was a secret organization. It con- 
tinued to thrive for several years, its sessions being held every 
week. Its exercises were of a literary nature, embracing plays, 
original essays and declamations, all in the interests of temper- 
ance. In 1873, this lodge became extinct, by the smTender of 
its charter. 

REFORM CLUB. 

This movement was inauguiated by Dr. H. A. Reynolds, in 
March, 1876. Dr. Reynolds had the reputation of being a very 
successful apostle of temperance, in Maine and the eastern part 
of this state, previous to his coming to Gardner. Thousands 

36 



282 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

had been induced to take the pledge, through his instrumentality. 
Having experienced the degradation and sorrow that befalls the 
man who surrenders himself to the power of strong drink, and 
having himself been mercifully lifted up, he was enabled, out 
of his own experience, to make simple, strong, earnest and 
pathetic appeals to drinking men, " to be good to themselves," 
by taking and keeping the pledge. His motto was " With malice 
toward none, with charity for all." During the few days he 
remained in town, he made an apparently strong impression 
upon the class of men he sought to reach. Many were induced 
to take the pledge and become members of the " Reform Club 
of Gardner,' which was immediately organized, with constitu- 
tion and by-laws. The first president of this club, was Joseph 
Whipple, who was afterwards succeeded by Messrs. George W. 
Mason, Levi W. Wood, J. L. Alger, Jr., and M. A. Powers. 
The club held frequent meetings, in the Town Hall, and else- 
where, and great enthusiasm was awakened throughout the 
town, in behalf of the movement, which seemed to give 
promise of highest success. The old friends of temperance, 
waiving all private preferences in regard to means and methods, 
united cordially in support of the movement. All, without 
denominational distinction, united in holding a fair in the Town 
Hall, the object of which was to procure funds for the benefit 
of the Reform Club. As a result of this fair, together with a 
temperance ball, which succeeded it, about five hundred dollars 
were secured. Messrs. Philander Derby and John A. Dunn, 
generously offered the club a lot, on Vernon Street, upon which 
was to be erected a suitable house for the accommodation of the 
club, providing two hundred names should be secured to the 
pledge. Stimulated by this offer, frequent meetings were held 
and urgent efforts made to obtain the requisite number. At 
length the efforts of the club were crowned with success, in 
procuring the required number of signers. Still the fond antici- 
pations, of the more earnest and steadfast members of the club, 
were destined not to be realized. As the summer advanced, 
many, who had taken the pledge, began to violate it, and having 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 283 

been several times restored, at length abandoned the organiza- 
tion and returned to their old habits. Gradually the club 
diminished in numbers, until in the spring of 1877, a division 
occurred between the members resid ins; in the Centre and South 
part of the town, and a separate club was formed, in each village, 
with an amicable division of the funds, remaining in the hands of 
the treasurer. For the accommodation of the club, while it 
remained undivided, as well as afterwards for the club at the 
Centre, Mr. Philander Derby furnished a room, free of rent, 
while members of the " Woman's Christian Temperance Union " 
provided the same with suitable furnishings. Still, in spite 
of all the efforts made, on the part of its friends, to sus- 
tain it, the Reform Club, at the Centre, continued to diminish 
in numbers and interest, till the day it committed vifelo de se. A 
better destiny however, was in store for the Reform Club of 
South Gardner, which was organized as a separate institution 
April 2d, 1877, with Mr. J. R. Foster, as its first President. At 
its organization, this club numbered about twenty-five members, 
and rapidly increased to a membership of seventy-five, which 
has since decreased, till it has about thirty at the present time. 
This club holds its meetings in a building owned by Mr. S. K. 
Pierce, by whom the rent is gratuitously afforded. The room is 
supplied with daily and weekly papers and periodicals, and 
pictures adorn the walls, furnished by the friends of the club. 
The following gentlemen have acted as presidents of this club : 
Messrs J. R. Foster, M. A. Powers and W. O. Sawin. The 
badge, of the Reform Clubs, formed by Dr. Reynolds, is the red 
ribbon . 

WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNIONS. 

These Unions, one at the Centre, and one at the South Vil- 
lage, are organizations designed to be auxiliary to the Reform 
Clul)s, and have proved themselves efficient aids in the promo- 
tion of temperance work. Mrs. W. D. Herrick has been presi- 
dent of the union at the Centre, since its organization. The 
following ladies have officiated as presidents of the South Gard- 



284 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

ner Union: Mrs. Abel Jackson, Mrs. S. T. Frost and Mrs. 
Allen Newton. 

TEMPERANCE LEAGUE. 

This organization was formed No^ ember 16th, 1877, through 
the instrumentality of Mrs. L. C. Partington, of Providence, 
R. I. This organization is now in operation, holding its meet- 
ings weekly, its exercises being chiefly literary. 

'* THE MURPHY MOVEMENT. 

This peculiar kind of temperance work has been begun and 
is in progress, at this time, April 20th, 1878, in this town. 
The originator and inspirer of the movement, Mr. Francis 
Murphy, was born in Wexford County, Ireland, in 1834. He 
came to this country, when he was but seventeen years of age, 
led a varied life, till the breaking out of the Kebellion, when he 
enlisted and went through the war as a soldier, and at its close, 
went to Portland, Maine, as a hotel keeper, where, with the 
many temptations, incident to such a life, as he had led, he 
found himself addicted to the use of strong drink. With 
troubles and sorrows, he plunged deeper into intoxication, and, 
at last, was placed, by friendly hands, in the jail in Portland, 
where, with time for reflection and an escape from temptation, 
it was hoped he might be led to reform. In the midst of 
his disgrace and discouragement, Capt. Silas Sturdevant visited 
the jail, and by his kindly christian influence, inspired him with 
a desire for reform, and encouraged him to begin a better life. 
In time he was liberated, and as he went forth a free man, he 
went so in a new sense, for he was free from the old habits 
which had been the cause of all his woe. He went out address- 
ing temperance meetings and laboring for intemperate men, and 
quietly grew in favor until he was invited West ; hitherto he had 
simply a local name, and had met w^ith but little more than 
ordinary success. 

However, in January, 1877, he was invited by some tem- 
perance men to go to Pittsburg, Pa., where his labors were 



HISTORY OF GARDN^ER. 285 

crowned with great success, over forty thousand signers being 
pledged to the work of temperance. This was the beginning 
of a series of meetings, held all over the country, which have 
resulted in good to millions of men. The work is denominated 
"The Gospel Temperance Work," having for a motto, "with 
malice toward none and charity for all," and the prayer for God's 
help upon the pledge. Mr. Murphy has a corps of workers, who, 
filled with the spirit of their leader, go out all over the country 
with the Bible in one hand and the pledge in the other. 

Dr. H. B. Kankin, a descendant of one of the early families 
in Gardner, (Kendall), and Col. E. I. Moore of Ithaca, both 
reformed men, came to Gardner as lieutenants of Mr. Murphy 
and labored for three weeks, holding meetings every evening, 
and by affectionate and earnest endeavor, won many men 
addicted to intemperance, to the pledge, so that at the time ot 
this writing, the town is thoroughly alive, and a thousand names 
have been recorded as signers of the pledge and workers in the 
Murphy movement. The blue ribbon, the Murphy badge, 
is seen every where, upon the breast. This is regarded 
as the most efficient and popular temperance movement yet 
known in this town, a movement which commends itself most 
heartily to the judgment and candid consideration of a great 
majority of our citizens, encouraging the lovers of temperance 
to struggle on, till the final triumph is obtained over that which 
leads men to say, with Cassio, " O that men should put an 
enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains ! that we 
should, with joy, revel, pleasure and applause transform our- 
selves into beasts !" 

It will be seen, by a careful review of the account of the 
various temperance organizations, now given, that while they 
promote the interests of temperance, during the periods of their 
existence, they yet are of brief duration, suggesting to the 
friends of temperance whether this cause, so dear to their hearts, 
should not be vitally connected with those organizations, which 
have in them the elements of perpetuity, namely, the Sabbath 



286 HISTORY OF GARDNER, 

School and the Church, which must keep themselves constantly 
identified with the work, if its highest and most permanent 
success is to be secured. 

Although there have, for years, been many staunch, strong, 
intrepid and unswerving temperance workers, in this town, who 
have never failed to identify themselves with the temperance 
cause, in its various methods of labor, some of whom have 
suffered in their persons and property, because of their undis- 
guised adherence to their principles, as temperance men, yet it 
cannot be conscientiously said, that, acting in its corporate 
capacity, the town has ever taken anything like advanced 
ground upon the subject of temperance. In 1834, there was 
an article in the warrant for the annual town meeting, " to see 
if the town will instruct the selectmen not to recommend any 
person to be licensed to retail or mix any spirituous liquors, 
within the limits of the town, during the year ensuing, or trans- 
act anything relating thereto." Of this article the town made 
short work. The record is, "Voted, To dismiss this article." 
This action may serve to indicate the sentiment of a majority 
of the voters, regarding the subject of temperance, from that 
day, to the present. However, in justice to the friends of 
temperance, it should be stated that the town, September 6th, 
1870, upon the question, " shall any person be allowed to sell 
ale, porter, strong beer, or lager beer, within the limits of the 
town, previous to the first Tuesday of May, next?" voted 
in the negative, there being seventy-eight votes in favor, and 
ninety-six against allowing the sale of the above named articles. 
Also, April 5th, 1871, upon the question, " shall the sale of ale, 
porter, strong beer and lager beer, be allowed in this town for 
one year from this date? — May 2d, 1871 — ," the vote Avas, 
"yeas, twenty-eight, nays, thirty-nine." These votes, although 
they do not represent a very large proportion of the voters of 
the town, yet are indicative of the ability of the citizens to 
expel the traffic in these beverages, from their midst, when they 
are so disposed. 



HI8T0BY OF GABDNER. 287 

Under the present license law, our selectmen have not failed, 
annually, to respond to the wishes of those, by whom they 
have been elected to office, in furnishing such number of 
licenses as, in their opinion, the highest need and welfare of 
the community have seemed to require. It should be recorded, 
however, that there are many among us, who would be better 
pleased with less licenses, or even none at all. 



288 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER XI. 

CEMETEEIES. 

" Beneath those rugged elms, that yew tree's shade, 
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, 

Each in his narrow cell forever laid. 

The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 

" The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, 
And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, 

Await alike the inevitable hour ; 
The paths of glory lead but to the grave." — Gray. 

"E'er sin could blight or sorrow fade, 

Death came with friendly care. 
The opening bud to heaven conveyed 

And bade it blossom there." — Coleridge. 

" To live in hearts we leave behind. 
Is not to die." — Campbell. 

" Above the gloomy grave our hope ascends, 

E'en as the moon above the silent mountains. 

These partings are reunions in the skies. 

To that great company of holy ones 

They go ; and we that stay how soon shall follow ! 

Through all our stubborn fears and craggy doubts 

Are Christ-worn paths that lead into the future. 

Well-beaten by the stress of pious feet. 

Let not our hearts be troubled; Christ has gone 

Before ; whither we know, the way we know. " 

" I am the resurrection and the life." — John 11 : 25. 

' I \HE word cemetery derived, as it is, trom the Greek word 
J- koimaomai, meaning to sleep, or to repose, is beautifully 
expressive of thetinal resting place, of all that is mortal, of our 
dearly cherished friends. When " Abraham stood up, from 
before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth saying, I am 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 289 

a straiiofer and a sojourner with you ; give me a possession of a 
burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my 
sight,"* and when the patriarch Jacob said to his son Joseph, 
" Bury me not I pray thee in Egypt, but I will lie with my 
fathers ; and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in 
their burying place, "f they both expressed the universal senti- 
ment of mankind, concerning the final disposition of the dead. 
Says Mr. John Jay Smith, superintendent of Laurel Hill 
Cemetery, referring to the acts of these patriarchs, "such are 
the natural expressions of human feeling ; it is a matter of 
instinct, a spiritual impulse, which supersedes belief and dis- 
dains question. Even the American Indians have been known 
to burden themselves with the bones of their ancestors when 
removing to new reservations. These feelings are common to 
all ages — to the barbarian and the civilized, to the bond and 
free, to the heathen, to the christian. They are manifested by 
the barrows, cairns and mounds of olden times ; and every 
where spots seem to have been so selected that the magnificence 
of nature might administer comfort to human sorrow and incite 
to human sympathy. The aboriginal Germans interred their 
dead in graves consecrated by their priests. The Egyptians 
soothed their grief by embalming the dead and interring them 
in vast catacombs or enclosing them in stupendous pyramids. 
The Hebrews watched with religious care over their places of 
burial. They usually selected for this purpose ornamental 
gardens, deep forests, fertile valleys, or rocky mountains ; and 
they still designate them, with a sad emphasis, as the ' house 
of the living.' The ancient Asiatics lined the approaches to 
their cities with sculptured sarcophagi and mausoleums em- 
bosomed in shrubbery. The Greeks exhausted the resources of 
their exquisite art in adorning the habitations of the dead. 
They discouraged interments within the limits of their cities, 
and consigned their relics to shaded groves in the neighborhood 
of streams and fountains, and called them ' places of repose.' 

*Gen. 23 : 3, 4. fGeu. 47 : 29, 30. 

37 



290 HI8T0RY OF GAEDNEE. 

The Romans erected the monuments of the dead in the suburbs 
of the city, on the sides of their spacious roads, in the midst of 
trees and ornamental walks. The Appian Way was crowded 
with columns and obelisks in memory of their heroes, and at 
every turn the short and touching inscription met the eye — 
Siste, viator, (pause, traveler), inviting at once to sympathy 
and thoughtfulness. These suggestions must have given for- 
merly, as they may do still, to the language of the senseless 
stone a voice enforced by the benignity of that nature with 
which it is in unison. The Moslems placed their burial grounds 
in rural retreats and embellished them as a religious duty." 



THE TOWN BURYING YARD. 

In obedience to a time honored custom, the early settlers, of 
this town, proceeded, immediately after its incorporation, to 
select an appropriate place, in the Centre of the town, for a 
meeting-house, common, and burying yard. At a meeting held 
November 7th, 1785, the town " Voted, To purchase land of 
Seth Heywoodfor a meeting-house, common, and burying yard, 
for the sum of thirty-six pounds, bounded as follows, viz. : Be- 
ffinnina: at a stake and stones at the road between John Glazier 
and said Heywood, running west twenty rods, to a stake and 
stone ; thence south, to the county road ; thence east on said 
county road to the first mentioned road; thence on said road, 
to where it first began. Voted, To appropriate one acre and a 
half for a burying yard, at the north end of said land. Voted, 
That the selectmen be a committee to take a deed." November 
14th, 1785, " Voted, That the selectmen take a deed of the 
four acres of land of Mr. Seth Heywood, that Mr. Samuel 
Cook surveyed oif last spring, with the encumbrance of a road 
on the same, and give him, the said Heywood, security for the 
same, in behalf of the town. Thirty pounds is the price, and 
the said Heywood to improve the same one year, he relinquish- 
ing the interest, so long as he improves the same, excepting so 
much of [the] burying yard, as the town shall have an occasion 



HISTORY OF GARDj^EE. 291 

for to bury their dead in."* April 7th, 180(3, there was an 
article in the town warrant " to see if the town will purchase a 
piece of hind, of Lieut. Seth Hey wood on the west side of the 
common and burying ground, to enlarge said common and 
burying ground." Upon this article, the town "Voted, To 
choose a committee of three, to talk with Lieut. Hey wood, and 
see how they can buy a piece of land of him, and make report 
at May meeting next." '• Chose Aaron Wood, Esq., Mr. 
Smyrna Glazier and Mr. Simeon Leland for this committee." 
At the May meeting the town " Voted, To purchase a piece of 
land of Lieut. Seth Hey wood. Voted, To give said Hey wood 
one hundred and thirty-four dollars, for one acre of land west 
of the meeting-house, and for him to move the wall. Voted, 
The selectmen take the deed of said land."! The following is a 
true copy of the deed : — 

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Seth Heywood of 
Gardner in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, gentleman, in consideration of one hundred and 
thirty-four dollars, paid me by the inhabitants of the town of 
Gardner, in the county and Commonwealth aforesaid, the receipt 
whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell 
and convey unto the said inhabitants of Gardner, their succes- 
sors, a certain tract of land lying and being on the west side of 
the common, near the meeting-house in Gardner, aforesaid, 
containing one acre, and is bounded as follows, viz. : Beginning 
at a stake and stones on the northerly line of the county road, 
about three rods northerly of the northeasterly corner of said 
Seth Hey wood's barn, at a stake and stones ; thence running 
north, thirty-eight rods, to the southwesterly corner of the 
burying ground ; thence west, four rods and five links to a stake 
and stones; thence south, thirty-eight rods, to a stake and 
stones at said county road ; thence easterly, to the first men- 
tioned bound, four rods and five links. Said Seth Heywood 
agrees to build all the division fence, between said acre of land 

*Town Records, vol. 1, p. 6. fTown Records, vol. 1, p. 446. 



292 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

and his land, upon his own expense, and the inhabitants ot 
Gardner, on their part, agree never to erect any building south 
of a line drawn parallel with the south side of the meeting- 
house on said land. 

To Have and to Hold the same, to the said inhabitants of 
Gardner, their successors, to their use and behoof forever. And 
1 do covenant with the said inhabitants of Gardner, their suc- 
sessors, that I am lawfully seized* in fee of the premises, that 
they are free from all incumbrances, and that I will warrant, 
defend the same to the said inhabitants of Gardner, their suc- 
cessors, forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all 
persons. In witness whereof I, the said Seth Hey wood, have 
hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-first day of October in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six. 

Seth Heywood. [seal.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us, 

Aaron Wood, William Whitney. 
Worcester, ss. July 11th, 1807. Then Seth Heywood above 
named, acknowledged this instrument to be his free act and 
deed ; before me, 

Abel Wood, Justice of the Peace. 

This burying yard is situated directly in the rear of the First 
Congregational Church, and, at the present time, is noticeable 
for the antique forms of its grave stones. Here is to be found 
the grave of Rev. Jonathan Osgood, the first minister of the 
town. By means of recent appropriations, this yard is made 
very commendable in appearance, showing no disposition on the 
part of the living to neglect the final resting place of the dead. 
In connection with this burying yard, is the town's tomb ; also 
a hearse house. The first hearse owned by the town, was pur- 
chased in 1821 and was without a seat for the driver, the horse 
being led. The hearses, now used, were purchased in 1870. 

Recently a heavy, substantial wall, capped with large flat 
stones, has been erected upon the easterly side of these grounds. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 293 



SOUTH GARDNER GREEN BOWER CEMETERY. 

The company, owning and controlling the grounds of this 
cemetery, was organized as a corporation, under the statutes of 
1841, November 26th, 1841). The following are the by-laws : — 

Art. 1. This company shall be called the South Gardner 
Green Bower Cemetery Company. 

Art. 2. The annual meeting of the proprietors, shall be 
holden on the last Mondaj^ of November, at six o'clock, p. m. 

Art. 3. There shall be chosen, by ballot, at each annual 
meeting, five or more of the proprietors, who shall constitute a 
Board of Trustees ; one of whom shall be chosen, by the trustees. 
President of the company ; and also by the Board of Trustees, a 
Clerk, who shall also be Clerk of the company and of the board ; 
also a Treasurer; all of whom, shall hold their office, one year, 
and until others are chosen and qualified in their stead. 

Art. 4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the 
proprietors, and of the Trustees, and shall perform such other 
duties as shall be devolved upon him by the company, or by 
the board. He shall call special meetings of the company, at 
any time, on the application, in writing, of five or more of the 
proprietors, and special meetings of the board, on the written 
application of any one of its members. 

Art. 5. The Trustees shall be authorized to purchase a site 
or plot of ground tor a burying ground, said ground or lot to be 
called the South Gardner Green Bower Cemetery. Said site 
or plot to be purchased of John Sawin, by a deed running to 
the Trustees of the company. The Trustees shall manage the 
affairs of the company and for this purpose may erect and 
repair such suitable fences as they may judge necessary to 
enclose the South Gardner Green Bower Cemetery, may lay 
out the said cemetery into plots, suitable for burying spots, may 
divide the said cemetery into paths and make all other improve- 
ments, for utility or ornament. 

Art. 6. The Clerk shall be sworn to the faithful discharge 
of his duty and shall keep, in separate books, a true record of 



294 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

the doings of the proprietors and Trustees ; be shall notify all 
meetings as hereinafter provided, and perform such other duties 
as may be devolved upon him by the company or board. 

Art. 7. The Treasurer shall give bonds in the sum of five 
hundred dollars, with two sureties to the acceptance of the 
Trustees. He shall collect all assessments, issue certificates of 
burying lots, and execute all instruments for the purchase, sale, 
or transfer of lots, or other property, under the directions of 
the board ; and shall perform such other duties as the propri- 
etors or Trustees may prescribe. 

Art. 8. The President and Trustees shall receive no com- 
pensation for their ordinary services, but when performing any 
special service as agent, or performing labor for the company 
shall be reimbursed their expenses and shall receive such 
further sums as the Trustees may think reasonable. The Clerk 
and Treasurer of the company shall receive a reasonable com- 
pensation for their services, to be agreed upon by the Trustees. 

Art. 9. Ten of the proprietors shall constitute a quorum 
for doing business, and all votes passed and all business trans- 
acted, at any legal meeting of the proprietors, shall be as truly 
and absolutely binding as though they were present. Absent 
proprietors may vote by proxy authorized in writing, but no 
proxy shall extend beyond one meeting including adjournments 
of the same. 

Art. 10. All meetings of the proprietors shall be notified 
by the Clerk, by posting up notices in two or more public 
places in said Gardner, at least five days before the time of 
holding such meeting. The Clerk shall also notify the meet- 
ings of the Trustees, in such manner as they may designate. 

Art. 11. In the absence of the President or Clerk, at any 
meeting of the company or the board, they shall respectively 
have the power of filling the vacancy, for the time being. Any 
permanent vacancy in the offices of Clerk or Treasurer may be 
filled by the company at any meeting duly notified for that 
purpose, but any permanent vacancy in the Board of Trustees, 
or President, may be filled by the other members of the board ; 



HISTORY OF GARDNEB. 295 

but all such officers shall hold their office only till the next 
annual meeting, or till others are chosen or qualified in their 
stead . 

Art. 12. The by-laws may be altered or amended at any 
meeting of the company, such alterations having been presented 
in writing at a previous meeting. 

Art. 13. All persons, becoming proprietors, shall be required 
to sign and be bound by the by-laws of the compau}'. 

This cemetery originally contained one acre and eighty-three 
rods of land. It is pleasantly situated, upon the southwest side 
of the South Village, about a quarter of a mile from Broadway. 
The main portion of the land, comprising this cemetery, is 
sufficiently elevated in position, to afford a pleasant outlook, in 
all directions. Its avenues are pleasantly laid out, making the 
lots easy of access, many of which are arranged very tastefully 
and are bordered with costly curbing. There are, in this cem- 
etery, several beautiful and expensive monuments. There is 
also, within the enclosure, a tomb. In 1864, this cemetery was 
enlarged by the addition of one and nine-tenths acres upon the 
north side, making, in all, about four acres. These grounds, 
bordered as they are, upon one side, by a grove of pines, afford 
an appropriate and pleasant resting place for the dead. 

CRYSTAL LAKE CEMETERY. 

Previous to the laying out of the South Gardner Green Bower 
Cemetery, in 1849, all interments, for the whole town, were 
made in the old burying yard at the Centre. This yard, con- 
sequently, became very fully occupied, creating a necessity on 
the part of the town, for providing a suitable place for the 
burial of the dead. August 7th, 1858, there was an article in 
the town warrant " to see if the town will take measures to 
procure a piece of land for a cemetery, for the use of the town, 
or act anything relating to the same." Acting upon this article 
the town voted to choose a committee of three " to see on what 
terms land could be purchased for a cemetery, and report to 



296 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

an adjourned meeting." This committee reported the expedi- 
ency of procuring a tract of land, upon the west side of Cr3^stal 
Lake, comprising in all, about ten acres, which the town au- 
thorized them to purchase " for a cemetery, for the use of the 
town." This cemetery is remarkable for the beauty of its 
location, occupying as it does, an elevated tract of land, which 
gradually slopes down to Crystal Lake, whose clear waters form 
a delightful foreground to this resting place of the dead. This 
cemetery, with its background of pines, viewed in connection 
with Crystal Lake, reposing so peacefully at its foot, furnishes 
a scene of natural beauty and picturesqueness, whose tranquil- 
izing eflfect, serves to deprive the grave of its terror, and to 
take away from the minds of the living, all desire for " couch 
more magnificent," while 

" Sustained and soothed 
By an unfaltering trust," 

they feel assured that here they may approach their graves, 

" Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." 

These grounds are divided into suitable burying lots, several 
of which are enclosed, by costly and substantial curbing, and are 
interspersed with avenues, walks and ornamental plots, beauti- 
fied with cultivated flowers and green sward, which present a 
scene of beauty and attractiveness, under the careful and tasteful 
management of the present committee, Messrs. Lyman F. 
Wood, Ambrose P. Chase and Thomas B. Warren, the latter of 
whom, is an Englishman, by birth, and though aged more than 
three score years and ten, yet continues to combine unusual 
vigor, with excellent taste in the care and attention which he 
bestows upon these grounds. There are, in this cemetery, 
several monuments of superior costliness and beauty. The 
town makes an annual appropriation for the benefit of these 
grounds, varying in amount, from year to year, as the neces- 
sities of the case may require, which, together with the pro- 
ceeds from the sale of burying lots affords a fund which is 
sufficient to give to this " sleeping chamber" of the dead, the 



HI8T0BY OF GARDNER. 297 

cure and labor needful for its continued attractive appearance 
and beauty. 

The following are the rules and regulations of Crystal Lake 
Cemetery : — 

Any person who shall become the owner of a lot in said 
Cemetery shall hold the same subject to the following condi- 
tions and limitations, as set forth in the deed, executed by the 
Treasurer, by order of the Cemetery Committee : — 

Art. 1. Upon the selection of a lot, the committee shall 
issue to the person proposing to purchase, a certificate stating 
the amount agreed upon ; and said person shall present it to the 
Treasurer, and pay to him said amount within thirty days from 
date thereof. If not presented within the time aforesaid, all 
rioht to the selected lot shall cease. 

Art. 2. Said lot shall not be used for any other purpose 
than as a place of burial for the dead, otherwise than to erect 
thereon some funeral monument or structure, and cultivate trees, 
shrubs or plants. 

Art. 3. When a burial lot has been sold, it shall be graded 
within one year from the date of the deed, under the direction 
of the Cemetery Committee ; or the committee may at any time 
thereafter cause the same to be done at the expense of the 
proprietor. 

Art. 4. If any tree, shrub or bush in any lot shall, by 
means of its roots, branches or otherwise, become, in the 
opinion of the committee, detrimental to the adjoining lots or 
avenues or dangerous or inconvenient to passengers, the com- 
mittee shall enter said lot and remove the same or any part 
thereof. 

Art. 5. If any structure or inscription be placed in or 
around said lot which a majority of the committee shall decide 
to be oifensive or improper, said committee may enter upon said 
lot and remove the same. 

Art. 6. Proprietors of neglected lots shall be notified by 
the committee of their condition ; and in case of continued 
neglect, so as, in the opinion of the committee, to impair the 

38 



298 HISTOBY OF GARDNER. 

general appearance of the cemetery, such lot may be put in 
order by said committee at the expense of the proprietor. 

Art. 7. No tomb shall be constructed within said cemetery 
except by the written consent of the Cemetery Committee. 

Art. 8. The deed of the lot shall be executed by the Treas- 
urer, iu behalf of the town, by order of the Cemetery Com- 
mittee. 

Art. 9. All burials in the public burial ground shall be 
made in the location directed by the Cemetery Committee. 

Art. 10. The receiving tomb shall be used as a temporary 
place of interment ; and no body placed therein between the 
first day of May and the first day of November shall be kept 
therein more than ten days. No body shall be placed in or 
removed from the tomb or any lot in the cemetery, except by 
the Sexton or by his direction, he keeping a true record of the 
same and reporting the same to the town each year at the annual 
town meeting in March. 

Art. 11. No unseemly noise, discharge of fire-arms or dis- 
orderly conduct will be permitted within the cemetery. 

Art. 12. No horse shall be driven faster than a walk within 
the cemetery or left unfiistened without a keeper, nor fastened 
except at such places provided for that purpose. 

Art. 13. No person on horseback or in a carriage shall 
cross any lot or ride or drive on any walk or path ; but all 
riding or driving shall be confined exclusively to the avenues. 

Art. 14. No dog shall be allowed to run at large in the 
cemetery. 

Art. 15. All persons are strictly forbidden bathing in Crys- 
tal Lake from or near the banks of the cemetery. 

Art. 16. All persons are forbidden to write upon or other- 
wise deface or injure any fence or other structure in the ceme- 
tery ; or to gather any flowers, either wild or cultivated, except 
on their own lot ; or break any tree, shrub or plant therein ; 
under the penalty in such case made and provided. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 299 



CHAPTER XII. 

INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. 

" Deduct all that meu of the humbler classes have clone for England in the 
way of inventions only, and see where she would have been but for them." 

— Arthur Helps. 

" Neither the naked hand, nor the understanding, left to itself, can do much ; 
the work is accomplished by instruments and helps." — Lord Bacon. 

" Patience is the tinest and worthiest part of fortitude, and the rarest too. 
Patience lies at the root of all pleasures, as well as of all powers." 

— John Buskin. 

"The sire of gods and men, with hard decrees, 
Forbids our plenty to be bought with ease ; 
Himself invented tlrst the shining share, 
And whetted human industry by cure."— Dryden. 

" For sure by wit is chiefly meant 
Applying well what we invent." — Swift. 

" See, I have called by name Bezaleel, and I have filled him with the spirit 
of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all 
manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in 
silver, and in brass, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of work- 
manship." — Ex. 31 : 2-5 

"And King Solomon sent, and fetched Hiram out of Tyre: he was filled 
with wisdom and understanding and cunning to work all works in brass. And 
he came to King Solomon and wrought all his work." — 1 Kings, 7 : 13, 14. 

/TXhE truthfulness of the proverb, " Necessity is the mother 
-L of invention," finds frequent verification, in connection 
with the chair manufacturing enterprises of this town. Atten- 
tion has ah-eady been directed, in chapter VII., page 166, of this 
work, to the simplicity of the tools, originally employed in 
the construction of chairs. With a growing market, for this 
product of industry, there has ever been a growing demand for 
increased facilities for this sort of manufacture. Stimulated 
by this demand, the inventive brain and cunning hand of some 



300 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

of the more thoughtful and studious of our citizens, have not 
been inactive, nor slow to respond. As a result, of this demand, 
Gardner claims the honor of having, within its limits, several 
individuals whose inventive genius, and whose invaluable in- 
ventions have given them a cosmopolitan reputation, among all 
manufacturers of chairs. The names of some of these inven- 
tors, together with their inventions, we shall now proceed to 

mention. 

PEARSON COWEE. 

This gentleman was born in Gardner, in 1797, where he died 
in July, 1876. Being engaged, early in life, in the manufac- 
ture of chair stock, he conceived the idea of constructing a dish 
saw, which could be used in sawing chair backs into the con- 
cave shape required, in chairs, instead of being obliged to work 
them out by hand. He accordingly employed the mechanical 
skill of a neighboring blacksmith to forge, for him, a disk of 
iron, of a dishing form, and having eight points, upon which 
were adjusted saw teeth. This done, Mr. Cowee, fastening his 
invention to a revolving shaft, found that it did the required 
work admirably, which had before been doue so laboriously, by 
hand, and in much less time. Mr. Cowee, however, never 
secured a patent upon this, his invention, though he must, in 
justice be the acknowledged inventor. 

LEVI HEYWOOD. 

Prominent among the business men and inventors, of this, his 
native town, stands the name of Mr. Levi Hey wood, a sketch 
of whose ancestors, life and inventive genius, we here give, by 
courteous permission of the authors, as extracts from a large 
and valuable work, now in press and soon to be issued by 
Messrs. Van Slyck & Co., No. 7 Pemberton Square, Boston, 
entitled " The Manufacturers of New England." 

" In connection with each of the varied industries which have 
made New England the work-shop of the country, there is, in 
almost every case, some single name, that of a pioneer or 
especially successful manufacturer, which is at once suggested 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 301 

when the industry is named. In this relation, to the chair 
manufacture, -stands the name of Heywood. The various 
families of this name, widel}^ disseminated through Middlesex 
and Worcester Counties in Massachusetts, are, all of them it is 
believed, descended from John Heywood, who, prior to 1650, 
came from England and settled in Concord, Mass. His son, 
well and widely known as Dea. John Heywood, was a man of 
large influence both in civil and in ecclesiastical affiiirs. One of 
his sons, Phineas, born in Concord in 1707, removed, in 1739, to 
Shrewsbury, Mass. He was a selectman, a representative in 
the Provincial Congress, a member of the Committee of Cor- 
respondence, in 1774-1775, and a man of large influence in 
public afiiiirs and an ardent patriot. His son, Benjamin, born 
in 1746, was commissioned in 1776, a captain and paymaster in 
the Army, and served through the war. He was present at the 
surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. From 1802 to 1811, he was one 
of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and for many 
years was one of the most eminent citizens of Worcester County. 
"His older brother, Seth, born in Concord in 1738, was 
carried with his father's family to Shrewsbury and in 1762 was 
married to Martha Temple of that town. He soon after re- 
moved to Sterling and served as lieutenant in the army of the 
Revolution. Purchasing a farm within the limits of what is 
now the town of Gardner, he was li^ ing there at the time of 
the incorporation of that town in 1785, and, in connection with 
John Glazier, was one of the petitioners and chief promoters 
of that act, and was the first Town Clerk. He was a black- 
smith and carried on the large farm which he owned in the 
centre of the town, his house being on the site of the present 
Town Hall, and the farm embracing within its limits, the com- 
mon, the burial ground, and the lauds occupied h\ the church, 
the hotel and most of the residences in the vicinity of the Town 
Hall. He died in 1827, aged 81) years. His son Benjamin, 
born in Gardner in 1773, was married to Mar}' Whitney, sister 
of Phineas and Amasa Whitney, prominent citizens of Winchen- 
don, Mass. He inherited his father's farm. He Avas, for many 



302 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

years, the Town Treasurer and was highly respected and influ- 
ential in town afiairs. 

"His children were Levi, Benjamin F., Walter, William, 
Seth and Charles. He died in 1849, in his 77th year. Of his 
children, Charles died at the age of six years ; Benjamin F. 
died, in 1844, having been engaged successfully since his ma- 
jority as a trader, and a part of the time, as a manufacturer of 
chairs ; William died, in 1873, in Boston, where he had resided 
since 1830, and had been engaged in business there and in 
Charlestown, with success, till 1855, in which year he retired 
from business ; Levi, Walter, and Seth survive and are each of 
them engaged successfully in the manuf^icture of chairs. 

" Levi Ileyicood was born in Gardner, December 10th, 1800. 
His early advantages, for education, w'ere only those usually 
enjoyed by the children and youth, at that time, in rural towns, 
with the addition of two terms at the academy in New Salem, 
Mass. The diligent improvement of these opportunities fitted 
him for the vocation of a school teacher, in which he was en- 
gaged, in his native town and in the adjoining town of Win- 
chendon during the Avinters 1820-21 and 22. Li the spring of 
the latter year he went to Rochester, N. Y., and was employed 
there about a year in stone-work by contract. Returning in 
1823 to Gardner, he entered into partnership with his brother 
Benjamin, in the very miscellaneous business of a country store. 
This relation he continued till the year 1829. 

"In 1826, he commenced, in Gardner, the manufacture of 
wood-seated chairs. In 1831, he went to Boston and opened a 
store for the sale of chairs, in which business he continued till 
1836. He also, in connection with W^illiam R. Carnes and his 
brother William, under the firm style of Hey wood & Carnes, 
started a mill for sawing veneers from mahogany, etc., in 
Charlestown. This mill was burned in 1835. He then returned 
to Gardner and entered into partnership with his brother Wal- 
ter, who, with others, had been for some years engaged in the 
manufacture of chairs, on part of the premises now occupied 
by Hey wood Bros. & Co. The veneer mill in Charlestown was 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 303 

rebuilt aud Mr. Levi Heywood retained his interest in it, 
until 1849. 

"The business, of the new firm in Gardner, was conducted 
with success, the manufacture being mainly by hand, the only 
machinery being the ordinary turning lathe, and circular saws, 
which were operated by water power, obtained from the pond 
now known as Crystal Lake. In L841, it occurred to Levi 
Heywood, that machinery specially adapted to the various 
processes of manufacture, might be introduced to advantage. 
His brother, of a more conservative disposition, hesitated to 
leave the well-worn paths in which they were achieving reason- 
able success. This difference of opinion led to a dissolution of 
the partnership, Levi purchasing his brother's interest. He at 
once gave his thoughts and labor, to the devising and construct- 
ing of special machinerj^ as well as to the introduction of dif- 
ferent kinds of wood-working machinery, which were already 
in use for other purposes, and were also adapted to his purpose. 
In the successful carrying out of this idea, he inaugurated a new 
era in the chair manufacture, and herein manifested much enter- 
prise, together with the fertility of resource, mechanical skill 
and inventiveness, and the purpose to introduce constantly new 
and valuable features, both in methods of manufacture and in 
style of product, Avhich have always characterized him, and have 
been large elements of his success. 

" As an instance of his originality, in the matter of mechani- 
cal devices, it may be said that as early as 1835, he conceived 
the idea of the band saw, now universally adopted as one of the 
most valuable tools in wood-work. The idea was original with 
him, though not really novel, for as early as 1808, "VVm. New- 
berry of London, Eng., had conceived the same idea and made 
a crude model of a band sawing machine, but did nothing more 
with it. So thoroughly were its advantages anticipated by Mr. 
Heywood, that he consulted with B. D. Whitney of Winchen- 
don and with Charles Griffiths, of Welch & Griffiths of Boston, 
as to the feasibility of constructing a machine of the kind. Both 
of these gentlemen, experts in such matters, agreed that Avith 



304 HISTORY OF GAEDNEli. 

the quality of saw-blades then made, or any known methods of 
uniting them so as to make an endless band, the idea could not 
be successfully carried out. As is well known, M. Perin of 
Paris, France, has, since that time, accomplished what Mr. 
Hey wood, so many years before, conceived to be both desirable 
and feasible. 

" In 1844, on the first day of July, he received into partner- 
ship Gen. Moses Wood, then of Providence and afterwards 
President of the Rollstone Bank of Fitchburg, and his brother 
Seth, the style of the firm being Hey wood & Wood. This 
partnership continued till July 1st, 1849. At that date Gen. 
Wood retired from the firm, and Messrs. Calvin Hey wood and 
Henry C. Hill were admitted, the style of the firm being 
changed to L. Hey wood & Co. 

"Mr. Heywood, in addition to his business relations, as the 
head of the firm of Hey wood Bros. & Co., has since 1847, been 
a partner with Hon. W. B. Washburn of Greenfield, Mass., in 
the manufacture of chairs and wooden ware, at Erving, Mass., 
the style of the firm being Washburn & Heywood. They are 
also largely engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, 
owning about 3,000 acres of woodland in Erving, Northfield 
and New Salem. 

" At this point, it is proper to refer to the inventions of Mr. 
Heywood, Avhich have been mostly to meet the demands of his 
own business, and have largely contributed to its success. 
Among them may be named one for a wood chair-seat, one 
for tilting-chair, three for machines for splitting, shaving and 
otherwise manipulating rattan, and four for machinery for 
bending wood. He has also invented a very valuable jirocess 
(not immediately connected with his own business l)ut of value 
to it, as utilizing in a new direction, the pith of the rattan after 
stripping the enamel from it,) for injecting rattan with india- 
rubber or other suitable material, thus making an excellent sub- 
stitute for whalebone. 

" Of the merits of his wood-bending process, it may be proper 
to introduce the testimony of M. Fr. Thouet of Vienna, Austria, 



HISTORY OF GABBjSrUB. 305 

the heticl of the largest chair manufacturing firm in the world, 
employing some live thousand operatives. After visiting the 
factories of the Messrs. Heywood, he wrote, ' I must tell you 
candidly that you have got the best machinery for bending wood 
that I ever saw, and I will say that I have seen and experi- 
mented a great deal in the bending of wood.' The Heywood 
patents have been combined with those of John C. Morris of 
Cincinnati, on which the patents of Blanchard have, after pro- 
tracted litigation, been decided to be infringements. The com- 
bined patents, owned by the Morris & Heywood Wood-bending 
Co., it is believed, cover the really effective methods for bend- 
ing wood. 

"Mr. Heywood, in addition to his large personal business, 
he having retained to the present time — though now in his 
seventy-eighth 3'ear, — the supervision in all its details, of the 
mechanical department of the business, including the adapta- 
tion and construction of new machinery and devices for greater 
economy and perfection of manufacture, has been very active in 
public enterprises. He represented the town in the Convention 
for revising the Constitution of the State in the year 1853, and 
in the lower branch of the Legislature in 1871. He has been a 
Director in the Gardner National Bank and a Trustee of the 
Gardner Savings Bank from the organization of those institu- 
tions. 

" Mr. Heywood is not personally identified, by membership, 
with any church. A regular attendant, however, of the Con- 
ofreo'ational Church in Gardner, he is a liberal contributor to its 
current expenses, and responds cheerfully and liberally to the 
calls of benevolence. He is also largely interested in educa- 
tional matters, and personally in the schools and has made 
liberal donations of land and otherwise, to the town in this 
direction. Respected in the highest degree for personal in- 
tegrity and excellence of his character in all the relations of 
life, his example is for good to the large number of his em- 
ployes and to the community by which he has been long looked 
up to as its wealthiest and most influential citizen." 

39 



306 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

GARDNER A. W ATKINS. 

This gentleman was l)oi-n in Peru, Berkshire County, Mas- 
sachusetts, September 13th, 1833. Being, from childhood, of 
a mechanical turn of mind, when not engaged in school, or at 
work on the fiirm, he was occupied as a carpenter, and in kin- 
dred employment, until he was eighteen years of age, when he 
went to Lakeville, Conn., where he was engaged, for five years, 
in the ofiice and factory of the celebrated surgeon. Dr. Benja- 
min Welsh, manufacturer of surgical instruments. At the ex- 
piration of this time, he removed to Springfield, Vt., where he 
was engaged in the same business, until the breaking out of the 
war of the Rebellion, in the spring of 1861, when he turned his 
attention to the construction of complex machinery, for the 
manufacture of shoe lasts, hooks and eyes, etc. In the year 
1863, he went to Proctorsville, Vt., where he became interested 
in the manufacture of clothes pins, mop-handles, flour-sifters and 
chair stock. In 1866, he began the manufacture of wood seat 
chairs and also made an attempt at splint and cane bottom 
chairs. 

The followino: are some of the reasons, restins: in Mr. Wat- 
kins' mind, for making a new departure from the old Chinese 
pattern, used for more than four centuries, in the construction 
of cane chairs : The demand for a smooth, better and more 
durable chair seat for common use ; some method by which to 
avoid waste of cane, time and trouble, in distributing the frames 
of chairs over the country, to be seated, as well as the annoy- 
ance of teaching a new generation, the art of caning chairs; 
some way by which this work could be done, systematically, 
in the factory, under the supervision of the manufiicturer, with 
the use of suitable machinery, and, lastly, a better chair, for 
less money. 

After thorough and patient experimenting, he found that 
cane could not be superseded by any other then known sub- 
stance, for seats and backs, for common chairs, the grain of 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 307 

swamp ash ])eing the nearest to cane, but so scarce and expen- 
sive, as to limit its use. Obstacles, which at times, seemed in- 
surmountable, were finally overcome. After months of patient 
and incessant toil, in inventing tools and machinery for this 
special purpose, Mr. Watkins succeeded in weaving an all wood 
or cane fabric, of various figures and patterns, of any desired 
width and length. This was acknowledged, at the United 
States Patent Office, to be the first production of this sort 
and an entirely new article of manufacture. The question 
then arose as to the most practical method of securing this 
fabric to the frames of chair seats and backs, of all forms. This 
problem, at first, seemed to be one easy of solution, but, after 
various attempts which proved either to be worthless or too 
expensive, Mr. Watkins became almost satisfied that the Chinese 
was the only possible method, namely, that of making holes 
through the frame of a seat or back, as near together as possi- 
ble, then drawing in the cane, from side to side, to the greatest 
possible amount. This would produce just that figure of net 
work, so common in the old Chinese pattern. However, per- 
severance, with a commendable degree of Yankee ingenuity, 
was destined to be more than a match for the " heathen Chinee." 
In the spring of 1867-8-9, Mr. Watkins succeeded in reaching 
satisfactory results, which were recognized, from time to time, 
at the United States Patent Office, in various grants, some of 
which bear the following dates : Patent chair seat, May 14th, 

1867 ; patent chair seat, April 6th, 1868 ; patent chair seat, 
April 7th, 1868 ; shuttle for weaving chair seats, March 10th, 

1868 ; improved shuttle for weaving chair seats, reissue, Novem- 
ber 2d, 1869 ; seating machine, July 13th, 1869 ; scroll saw- 
table, August 2, 1869 ; channeling or grooving machine, Sep- 
tember 6th, 1870 ; embossing chair seats, September 6th, 1870 ; 
spliced bottom, September 6th, 1870; continuous spline, Au- 
gust 15, 1871 ; improved rattan for chair seats, September 19th, 
1871 ; process for splicing cane, December 12th, 1871. 



308 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



SPLICING CANE. 

This process is worthy of special mention. In the specifica- 
tion, forming part of Letters Patent, the inventor uses the fol- 
lowing language : " The object of this invention is to prepare 
strands of rattan, for weaving; and the invention consists in 
removing the enamel surftice, from the ends of the strands, by 
' scarfing' them down preparatory to splicing, and connecting 
the ends together in the manner hereinafter referred to. As is 
well known, the outer surfiice of rattan is covered by a silicious 
enamel, which is extremely hard, and, to a great extent, im- 
pervious to moisture, so that any attempt to join one or more 
strands together by means of cement, is sure to prove in- 
efiectual ; hence, the great value to be derived from splicing 
such strands together, for the purpose of weaving them in a 
cloth of any desired length and width, has, to some extent, 
been lost. My invention fully obviates this difficulty. * * * 
* * * Since the length of these strands is limited, to a 
great extent, it is essential, in order to successfully weave 
them, in a loom, that the strands be spliced one to the other, to 
any desired length. In order to accomplish this, I scarf the 
ends ofi". This scarfing * * * * jg for the double pur- 
pose of removing the enamel from the surface of the strand, so 
that cement will adhere thereon, and also to enable one scarfed 
end to be cemented to another, without increasing the thickness 
of the strand at the splice. The scarfing may be done in many 
ways, not necessary here to mention, since I do not limit my- 
self to any particular means of accomplishing this object. The 
ends of the strands being scarfed, as above described, are next 
charged with cement, and when a sufficient quantity of strands 
is so prepared, the cemented ends are exposed to a jet of dry 
steam, or other artificial heat, until the cement liquifies, and 
then pressing the scarfed and cemented ends together, they will 
at once adhere, and the strands thus prepared or spliced may 
be reeled up, in any desired length, ready for weaving." 



HISTORY OF GABDMEIL 309 

The machinery, by which this scarfing process is accom- 
plished, is Avorthy of mention, as a product also of Mr. Wat- 
kins' inventive genius. The instrument, by which the ends of 
the cane are shaved down to the thinnest edge, is a small cylin- 
der, about two inches in diameter, upon whose surface are 
formed numerous horizontal knives or cutters. This cylinder 
is fixed upon a revolving shaft, upon which it is capable of per- 
forming six thousand revolutions in a minute. Directly in front 
of this cylinder, is a brass plate, whose surface is so contrived, 
that, when the end of the strand is placed upon it, and, by 
means of a treadle, is moved back under this revolving cylinder, 
it so adjusts itself to the revolving knives, as to produce, in 
the most exact manner, the required " scarf." This process, 
is almost instantaneous. The pressure, being removed from 
the treadle, the beveled brass table, by means of a weight, 
is immediately thrown back, ready for the rencAval of the 
process. Near by the person doing this work, is stationed a 
pot containing hot cement, into which is plunged a small brush, 
so connected with this machinery for scarfing the ends of the 
cane, that while the end of the strand is passing under the re- 
volving cylinder, the brush is dipped in the cement, from which 
it immediately arises, on the removal of the pressure from the 
treadle. The strand, thus scarfed, is drawn under this brush, 
by which it is immediately cemented. It requires from two to 
three hours to harden this cement, on the scarfed ends of the 
strand. These strands are then taken, by another operative, 
whose duty it is to join them together and wind them upon 
bobbins. Near this person is a jet of dry steam, which is made 
to pass through wood, in order to secure freedom from moisture. 
Into this steam jet are passed two cemented ends of the strands, 
the cement, upon which, is instantly liquified, after which, the 
two ends joined together are passed between two heated iron 
wheels whose surfaces are pressed together by means of a 
treadle. This process firmly unites the scarfed and cemented 
ends of the strands. By means of another treadle motion, the 
united strands are wound upon a bobbin capable of containing 



310 HISTORY OF GAIWJVUB. 

three thousand five hundred feet. This bobbin is so arranged, 
that it revolves at the option of the operator. By the motion 
of a spiral shaft, upon which is cut a right and left hand groove, 
the strand, while being wound, is carried automatically, from 
side to side, of the inner surfaces of the bobbin, thus produc- 
ing uniformity in filling it. 

POWER LOOM FOR WEAVING CHAIR SEATS. 

This loom involves the general principle of all looms. One 
distinguishing characteristic, however, in the loom now to be 
described, is the shuttle, b}'^ which, strands of cane are drawn 
through the warp, formed of the spliced strands, from the 
bobbins already mentioned. It is well known, that, in the 
weaving of cloth, the shuttle is driven through the warp strands, 
delivering the woof thread, as it passes. Considering the in- 
flexibility and bulkiness of the cane strands, to be used as filling, 
even should it be possible to wind them upon spools, it will be 
readily seen, that the ordinary process of weaving, could not 
prevail in the construction of rattan fabric. To obviate this 
difficulty, Mr. Watkins invented the shuttle now used in his 
loom. This shuttle is a flat bar of steel, about twenty-two 
inches in length, consisting of two equal plates, which are so 
united, that the difierent parts form two jaws, at the end which 
enters the warp. This end, of the shuttle, is shaped like a pair 
of pliers, thus making it susceptible of passing, without inter- 
ference, through the warp strands. Within the jaws, of this 
shuttle, are little spurs or nippers, for holding the end of the 
woof strand, which it is to draw through the warp. Between 
the two halves of the shuttle, there is a wedge shaped device, 
called the tongue, which is attached to a rod, also within the 
shuttle, and which is so contrived, that, when the mouth of the 
shuttle has reached the woof strand, which it is to carry back, 
this tongue, passing over a swell, within the jaws of the shuttle, 
causes its mouth to open, when it drops instantly into a con- 
cavity, by which operation, the jaws are allowed to close im- 
mediately upon the end of the strand, thus holding it firmly in 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 311 

their teeth. The shuttle is then drawn back, through the warp, 
holding the strand in its mouth, till it reaches the edge of the 
web, when the tongue passing forward, over the swell, again 
opens the mouth of the shuttle, leaving the end of the strand 
in the precise position required. The shuttle is then ready to re- 
turn, repeating the operation at the rate of seventy-five " picks" 
per minute. Upon the feed side of the reed, of this loom, by 
which the woof is beaten firmly together, is fixed a knife, which 
is so adjusted, in its relation to another knife edge, that, the 
instant the shuttle reaches the opposite side of the web, it cuts 
oflT the strand, at the exact length required. This shuttle is 
fixed upon a carriage, which is made to pass back and forth, 
upon its ways, by crank motion. Attached to the rod within 
the shuttle, to which is fastened the tongue, which opens and 
closes its jaws, is a projecting horizontal bar, the end of which, 
striking adjustible hunters, upon one side of the ways, throws 
the tongue, by which the jaws of the shuttle are opened and 
shut, backwards and forwards as convenience requires. 

As a matter of course, it would be impossible to describe 
accurately this ingenious device, for weaving cane web, without 
the assistance of the necessary diagrams. Although this shut- 
tle is capable of making seventy-five "picks" a minute, Mr. 
Watkins, whose motto is "excelsior," is confident that he can 
construct a loom, whose shuttle shall be capable of one hundred 
and twenty-five " picks" a minute, and even more. Another 
feature of this loom, is the saving of time, by so arranging the 
reed, that it returns to its position, after having beaten up the 
web, before the shuttle has receded from the warp, by passing 
under it, while the shuttle is still in motion. Another charac- 
teristic, of this loom, is the ino:enious device for feedinsf : ten 
strands being used in such a manner as to cause a desirable 
variety, in the texture of the web. Still another feature of 
the loom is the simplicit}^ of the method, by which tension is 
applied directly to the outer rim of the bobbins, this being 
secured by the friction of steel springs pressing against the 
wood. This loom is capable of weaving fifty-four thousand 



312 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

feet of cane, per day, which is equal to three hundred and 
thirty Grecian seats. 

That Mr. Watkins has achieved a wonderful success, in this 
invention, is universally confessed. By it, he has revolution- 
ized the manufacture of chairs, and created a new era in this 
important branch of our industries. 

To Mr. Watkins is also due the honor of having first applied 
power to the process of bending wood for chair frames and 
backs. Previous to this time the rails and backs of chairs were 
bent by levers worked l)y men, making the labor very ex- 
hausting to those engaged in it. With the application of power, 
to this particular branch of the chair business, only half as 
many men are now required to do the same amount of labor, 
as were required previous to this invention. 

Mr. Watkins is also the inventor of machines for making spi- 
ral springs, used in tilting chairs, and for cutting the thread upon 
the ends of these springs. Mr. Watkins is a gentleman who 
has spared no pains in nourishing his genius, as an inventor. 
Whatever of scientific works, or expensive tools, have been 
regarded, by him, as essential to the attainment of the one 
great aim of his life, he has not hesitated to procure. He 
has, since 1870, been employed by Hey wood Bros. & Co., 
upon a salary. 

The Automatic Channeling Machine, the Crimping Press, the 
Spline and Embossing Press, also inventions of Mr. Watkins, 
have already passed under review, in chapter VH., of this 
work. This gentleman has perfected several improvements in 
machinery, for the manufacture of chairs, for which he has not 
yet secured Letters Patent. At the present time, he is engaged 
in the construction of a Double Press for inserting woven seats 
in frames, weighing five thousand five hundred pounds, eight 
feet long, four feet wide and ten feet high. The following, 
among others, are the inventions and improvements of Mr. 
Watkins previous to his engaging in the chair business, for 
which he has received Letters Patent, namely : Hook Fasten- 
lugs for army tents. Improved Physician's Pocket Prescription 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 313 

Scale and Measure, Improved Letter Weight and Eraser, Arti- 
ficial Arm and Hand, Invalids' Drink Tube, Swinging Splint, 
for fracture of the leg, scapula, patella and elbow joint. Sur- 
geons' Bullet Extractor, Spring and Tooth Holding Stethescope, 
Ball and Socket Truss, etc. 

SAMUEL L. FITTS. 

This gentleman was born in Mason Village, N. H., in 1830. 
His father was a mill-wright, in which business he himself was 
engaged, till the age of twenty, w^hen he went to Fitchburg, 
where he was employed by the Putnam Machine Company. He 
went to Ashburnham in 1858, where he was employed by the 
Winchester Brothers until 1877, when he came to Gardner in 
the employ of Heywood Brothers & Co. The following are his 
inventions : An Automatic Boring Machine, for boring frames 
to chair seats, patented June, 1861 ; a Machine for Dressing 
Chair Backs, patented in 1864. These patents are now owned 
by Mr. George Winchester, of Ashburnham. Also a Power 
Loom for weaving chair seats. The novelty of this invention 
consists in the construction of the shuttle and fillino; holder, 
which holds a number of pieces, at the same time making the 
changes automatically, and is regarded as a very efiicient 
machine, for the purpose for which it is designed. 

FRANK F. PARKER. 

This gentleman was born in Keene, N. H., in 1851. The 
following are his patents for Folding Chairs : One patent issued 
August 15th, 1876, and another issued October 3d, 1876. These 
patents are both owned by Mr. Philander Derby. 

GEORGE W. PARKER. 

This gentleman was born August 14th, 1824, in Concord, N. 
H., and came to Gardner in November, 1870. Letters Patent, 
of the United States, were issued to him March 18th, 1856, for 
an improved Machine for Making Clothes Pins ; May 6th, 1873, 
patent for Improvement in Speed Regulators; April 6th, 1875, 

40 



314 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

patent for an Improvement in Machines for Tenoning Chair 
Rounds ; July 18th, 1876, patent for Improvement in Folding 
Chairs; June 26th, 1877, patent for Improvement in Machines 
for Making Pail Bottoms and Barrel Heads. 

The above list does not embrace all our mventors or inven- 
tions. There are others of which we have not been able to 
obtain sufficiently accurate information, to enable us to make a 
true record in this work. Those now given are enough to in- 
dicate the ability of the town, in this direction. As a fitting 
close to this chapter we give the following from Lord Bacon : — 

" The introduction of noble inventions, seems to hold, by 
far, the most excellent place among all human actions. And 
this was the judgment of antiquity, which attributed divine 
honors to inventors, but conferred only heroical honors upon 
those who deserved well in civil affairs, such as the founders of 
empires, legislators, and deliverers of their country. And 
whoever rightly considers it, will find this a judicious custom 
in former ages, since the benefits of inventors may extend to 
all mankind, but civil benetits only to particular countries or 
seats of men ; and these civil benefits seldom descend to more 
than a few ages, whereas inventions are perpetvuited through the 
course of time. Besides, a state is seldom amended in its civil 
aftairs, without force and perturbation, whilst inventions spread 
their advantage, without doing injury or causing disturbance." 



HISTORY OF GARDNEll. 315 



CHAPTER XIII. 

PUBLIC LIBRAKIES. 

"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, aud some few to be 
chewed and digested."' 

"Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an 
exact man." 

" Histories make men wise ; poets witty; the mathematics subtile ; natural 
philosophy deep; moral, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend." 

— Lord Bacon. 
" And books we know 
Are a substantial world, both pure and good." 

— Wordsworth. 

" The past but lives in words ; a thousand ages 
Were blank, if books had not evok'd their ghosts, 
And kept the pale, unbodied shades to warn us, 
From fleshless lips."— iiwZwer. 

" Turn back the tide of ages to its head, 
And hoard the wisdom of the honor'd AQAA.''—Sprague. 
" Books should to one of these four ends conduce 
For wisdom, piety, delight, or use."— Denham. 

IN his work, entitled " Lectures on English Literature," Prof. 
Henry Reed, of Philadelphia, introduces, in his chapter on 
Literature of Wit and Humor, the following, as an instance of 
unconscious wit: "It is," says he, "in Horrebou's History 
of Iceland, an old folio volume, which is divided into chapters 
according to various subjects. One of these is headed ' Con- 
cerning Owls.' I can quote the whole chapter without fatiguing 
you, for it is in these words : ' There are, in Iceland, no owls 
of any kind whatever.' Yet the historian seems to have con- 
sidered himself under some obligation to that species of birds, 
so far, as to devote a chapter to their absence." 

Althouo-h we have headed this chapter Public Libraries, we 
are, nevertheless, under a painful and serious obligation, like 



316 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

the author above named, of stating, that there are, in Gardner 
at the present time, no public libraries whatever. A portion 
of this chapter, is devoted, therefore, to the absence of this 
desideratum in our midst. Several years ago, there was a 
small public library kept in the Centre of the town, containing 
many valuable works. This library w\as allowed, gradually, to 
fall into decay, till at length, it entirely disappeared. 

At the present time, there is a feeling, widely spread through- 
out the town, that with all its enterprise in other praiseworthy 
directions, Gardner should not longer continue without a public 
library. It is therefore hoped, and confidently expected, that 
some measures will soon be taken for the establishment, upon a 
firm and permanent basis, of a public library, as a fountain of 
light, in this communit}^ There is certainly no better way, in 
which some of our Avealthy and prominent citizens can render 
their names immortal, than in the establishment of such an in- 
stitution, whose lasting benefits will continually give occasion 
to those who shonld hereafter enjoy them, to cherish with ven- 
eration and oratitude, the memories of their benefactors. 

Although there is, at the present time, no public library in 
this town, yet we are not entirely wanting in the possession of 
collections of books, w^hose ownership and circulation are of a 
somewhat private and limited nature. As an instance of this 
kind, we have the library connected with the South Gardner 
Social Library Association, to whose support, Mr. Abijah M. 
Severy bequeathed the income of five hundred dollars, which is 
to enure annually to its benefit. We here introduce the wall of 
Mr. Severy, in order to make intelligent the object of his 
legacy : — 

Be it Eemembered, That I, Abijah M. Severy, of Gardner, in 
the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 
Esq. do, on this eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, make and publish 
this my last will and testament, in manner following, viz : — 



HISTORY OF GARDJSTER. 317 

In the first place, 1 give and bequeath to my sister, Mary S. 
Howe, wife of Eli Howe, and Lucy Ann Cowee, wife of Buel 
G. Cowee, two hundred dollars each, payable in one year from 
my decease. Then, I give, bequeath and devise to my wife, 
Polly Severy, all my household furniture, and five hundred 
dollars, to beat her disposal, and then, the use, rents and profits 
of all my real estate, and the interest of the residue and 
remainder of all my personal estate, for and during her natural 
life. 

Provided, however, if at any time, during the life of my 
wife, the said Polly Severy, m^^ mother, Sally Merriam, wife of 
John Merriam, should become poor and in needy circumstances, 
the said Polly is hereby authorized to expend so much of the 
principal of my personal estate, as in her judgment is necessary 
for the purpose of assisting my said mother, to a comfortable 
support. The personal estate, which is to be kept on interest, for 
the benefit of my wife, the said Polly, shall, at all times, as far 
as may be, [be] kept safely secured, by mortgage on real estate, 
and in case my Executor or Executrix (as the case may be,) 
shall decline being trustee, for the safe keeping and payment of 
the same, the Judge of Probate may appoint some other per- 
son or persons, to that trust. And then at the decease of my 
wife, the said Polly Severy, it is my will that the Judge of 
Probate, shall appoint one or more trustees, to take charge of 
my estate, both real and personal, and the said trustee or 
trustees shall be authorized to sell at public vendue, all my 
real estate, and to the purchaser or purchasers thereof, to give 
good and sufficient title or titles to the same, and then the pro- 
ceeds arising from such sale, together with whatever may re- 
main of my personal estate, held in trust as aforesaid, shall be 
paid over, or dealt with as follows, to wit : One hundred 
dollars to be paid over to the South Gardner Social Library 
Association, and by said Association to be expended in the 
purchase of books for their library, and then the income arising 
from the interest of five hundred dollars, shall be annually 
paid over to said Association, and by said Association be ex- 



318 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

pended for the same purpose, as the above mentioned one 
hundred dolhirs. 

Then the proceeds arising from the interest of one thousand 
dolhirs shall be annually paid over to an}' person or persons 
authorized to receive it, for the purpose of being expended for 
the support of a school, for the benefit of the inhabitants of 
South Gardner Village ; said school shall be taught, the first 
season, by a male teacher, and the second season, by a female 
teacher, and shall continue to change teachers alternately, in 
the same order. 

Then the proceeds arising from the interest of one thousand 
dollars more, to l)e paid annually, if called for, to any person 
or persons authorized to receive the same, for the purpose of 
defraying the expenses of a school or schools, for teaching 
sacred music, for the benefit of the choir of singers, to the 
Baptist Church, in said Gardner. 

Then the proceeds, arising from the interest of three thou- 
sand dollars more, shall be paid over annually, to any person or 
persons authorized, by the above mentioned Baptist Church, to 
receive the same, for the purpose of being expended in paying 
the salary of such minister or ministers as the members of such 
church shall, from time to time employ. 

All of the above mentioned sums of money which, after the 
decease of her, the said Polly, are to be kept in the hands of a 
trustee or trustees, for the purpose of the interest, arising from 
said sums, being paid over and appropriated to the purpose as 
aforesaid, shall, at all times, as far as may be, [be] kept safely 
secured by mortgage or mortgages on real estate, and should 
there be a surplus over and above five thousand and five 
hundred dollars, which is the sum total of all the funds to be 
held in trust,' after the decease of her the said Polly, said 
overplus shall be paid over to my heirs at law, or their legal 
representatives, and also if the proceeds arising from the 
interest on any of the sums included in said afore mentioned 
five thousand and five hundred dollars, which is to be held in 
trust, for the purposes as specified aforesaid, shall cease to be 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 319 

applied to the pnqDoses, for which they were respectively be- 
queathed, for the term of three successive years, then the 
principal and interest, remaining in the hands of the trustee or 
trustees, of e^ery such sum or sums, non applied, to the pur- 
poses as aforesaid, shall revert to my heirs at law, or their 
legal representatives. 

Lastly, I hereby appoint Polly Severy, my wife, to be Ex- 
ecutrix of this my last will and testament ; hereby revoking all 
other and former wills, by me made, and declaring this and this 
only, to be my last will and testament. 

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal the day 

and year above written. 

His 
Abu AH M. X Severy. [seal.] 

Mark. 
Signed, published, pronounced and declared, by the said 
Abijah M. Severy, to be his last will and testament, in pres- 
ence of the subscribers, who, in his presence and at his request, 
and in his presence and in presence of each other, hereunto set 
our hand as witnesses. 

Asaph Wood, 
James H. Clark, 
Samuel Gates. 

At the time this will was executed, Mr. Severy was very 
sick, and not being able to write his name, made his mark. 

According to article third, of the constitution of this associa- 
tion, "for the first establishment of said library, two dollars 
shall be the sum to be paid by all members on every share they 
respectively own, to be applied exclusively to the purchase of 
books ; all other expenses accruing for the establishment of the 
same, to be paid by equal assessment on the shares of said 
library. 

This association received the $100, bequeathed it, by Mr. 
Severy in 1852. It began, in 1853, to receive the income from 
the $500, named in the will, since which time, the annual income 
has been about $25. This library contains, at the present time, 
twelve hundred and fifty volumes ; number of shares, one 
hundred. 



320 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MEMORABLE EVENTS. 

" Whereiu I spoke of most disastrous chances, 

Of moving accidents, by flood and tield ; 

Of hairbreadtli 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach." 

—Othello, Act I.. Scene III. 

" For murder, though it have no tongue, 
Will speak with most miraculous organ," 

— Hamlet, Act 11. , Scene II. 

" Of no distemper, of no blast he died. 

But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long. 

Even wondered at because he dropt no sooner; 

Eate seemed to wind him up for four score years. 

Yet freshly ran he on, ten winters more. 

Till like a clock worn out with eating time, 

The wheels of weary life at last stood still." — Dryden. 

WE present, in this chapter, ii brief record of some of the 
more noteworthy events that have transpired in this 
town since its incorporation. 

FIRES AND INJURIES BY LIGHTNING, ETC. 

1798. — August 10th, a barn of Mr. Seth Hey wood, Avas set on fire by 
lightning and consumed, with its crops of hay and grain. August 
24th, a barn of Mr. Samuel Stone was struck by lightning and 
burnt ; this was also filled with hay and grain. 

1808. — In May, a dwelling house of Mr. Joseph Wright, with all the 
furniture it contained, was consumed. The fire Avas occasioned by 
a defect in the oven. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 321 

1809. — In November, a house of Mr. Allen Perley was burned, with the 
furniture. He was having it repaired at the time, and the work- 
men had left shavings so near the fireplace, that on opening the door 
to go out, the wind took them to the fire, thus communicating the 
flames to the building with such rapidity that there was no chance 
to save it. 

1810. — In the spring of this year, a house of Capt. Ezekiel Howe, was 
struck by lightning. The house was not burned, but so shattered, 
that he built a new one. A loaded gun, standing in the house, was 
discharged by electricity. 

1813. — The card shop of Josiah Wilder, Jr., was destroyed by fire. 
Also, the same year, a dwelling-house of Mr. Aaron Pratt. 

1820. — A house owned by Mr. Nathan Green was struck by lightning. 

1827. — In February, a chair shop of Mr. James M. Comee was burned. 

1829. — A grist-mill, belonging to Capt. William Bickford, was burned. 

1834. — In June, the dwelling-house of Mr. Seth Whitney, took fire upon 
the roof, and was destroyed. In October of the same year, a chair 
shop of Mr. Walter Heywood, was burned, on the site where Mr. 
Asher W. Shattuck's house now stands. Capt. Henry Whitney 
had a saw-mill burned, and built another on the same site, which 
he sold to Daniel J. Goodspeed, which was afterwards burnt. Capt. 
Martin Dunster had a box shop destroyed by fire, on the site where 
Philander Derby's chair factory now stands. 

1839. — In March, a chair shop of Elijah Putnam, was burned, on the 
site where now stands the chair factory of L. H. Sawin & Co. 

1841. — August 20th, the blacksmith's shop of Capt. William Learned, 
was destroyed by fire. 

1846. — A mill, belonging to Ai Stone, in the north part of the town, 
was burned. A small house of Heman Ray was burned the same 
year. Also a shop of Daniel J. Goodspeed, was consumed by fire, 
where Wright &. Read's chair factory now stands. 

1850. — June 20, a severe hail storm passed over the north part of the 
town, breaking the glass on the west and northwest sides of build- 
ings, where it went. The hail came with such force that it broke 
down the growing vegetables, in its course. 

41 



322 HISTORY OF GABDNER. 

1852. — In November, Daniel J. Goodspeed had a shop burned, on the 
site where now stands the grist-mill of Howe Brothers. 

1855. — In March, the house that had been occupied by Miss Kneeland 

and Mrs. Phinney, was burned. 
1857. — In September, a large paint shop of the South Gardner Chair 

Manufacturing Company, near the depots, was burned. 

1862. — January 5th, the chair factories of Heywood Brothers & 
Co., were burned. 

1866 — May 16th, the chair factory of Wright & Moore was destroyed 
by fire. 

1867. — The school-house at theCentre has been struck by lightning three 
times since 1867, the last time (1876) setting it on fire, which was 
extinguished before great damage was done. 

CASUALTIES. 

1802. — Seth Heywood was found dead by the roadside, between Leom- 
inster and Westminster. He had been to assist a man in driving 
cattle, in returning home he stepped out of the road and died. 
He was a young man dearly beloved and greatly lamented. His 
age was 25. 

1818. — David Wilder was killed by a tub of gravel falling on him while 
he was at work in a well. His age was 30. 

1820. — Joseph Clark, Jr.. died in a fit. His age was thirty 33. 

1822. — William Fenno died in consequence of falling from his wagon. 
The accident was caused by a lynchpin getting out and letting a 
wheel off". 

1826. — July 4th, Jonathan Martin was found dead in a house, being 
left alone for a short time. The same year Jonathan Bancroft was 
found dead in a field. He was on a visit to his son, and as he was 
going from the field to the house, he died, (as was supposed) in a 
fit. His age was 76. 

1831. — Asahel Brick died in a fit. His age was 47. Same year Har- 
riet, daughter of Abijah Hinds, was drowned in a clay pit. She 
was 7 years of age. 

1834. — Capt. Aliio Temple died suddenly in his bed. His age was 70. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 323 

1835. — Benjamia Howe fell from a ladder in his barn, injuring him so 
badly that he died the third day after. His age Avas 52. 

1837. — Daniel Gates was so injured by the upsetting of his wagon, 
(near the house of Amos Ray) that he lived but a few days. 

1842. — Winslow Davis was wouaded by falling from his wagon, caus- 
ing his death in a few days. Amasa Leland was killed by a rafter 
falling upon his head while taking down his barn. He was 49 
years of age. Silas, son of George W. Davis, while sliding from 
a haymow, came forcibly upon a pitchfork, which entered his body 
causing his death. He was 10 years of age. 

1844, — Mrs. Joel Cowee died suddenly in her bed. Her age was 54. 

1846. — Horace P., son of David P. Bickford, was drowned. He was 

5 years old. 
1851. — Andrew Beard was found dead in his bed. His age was 79. 

1852. — A child of George Howe died in a fit. He was 2 years of age. 

1855. — Levi Richardson was found in a freezing condition in Mr. Bal- 
lou's mill ; he lived but a short time after being discovered. His 
age was 53. Hubbard Kendall was killed by the falling of a tree. 
His age was 65. Mrs. Merriam was found dead in her bed. Her 
age was 69. 

1856. — Mrs. Lorenzo Cheney died in consequence of being burned. 
A fluid lamp was broken, setting fire to her clothing and burning her 
so badly that she lived but a few hours. Her age was 48. 

1857. — Hammond Hardy, aged 21, was frozen so that he died. George 
W. Davis, aged 68, was drowned, 

1859. — A son of Lyman Fenno, four years of age, was drowned in a 
shiner box. A son of Mr. Flynn, two years of age, was drowned 
in a well ; also a son of John M. Hyde, four years of age was 
drowned. 

1862. — Marcus F. Oxford, aged two years, died from accidental pois- 
oning. 

1863. — In August, Ellen Reagan, aged 13 years, was drowned. The 
same month Cornelius Bresnehan was killed on the Vermont and 
Massachusetts Railroad. 



324 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

1865. — In May, Frederick A. Wheeler son of Augustus A. Wheeler, 
was killed by being caught in an elevator. His age was 9 years. 

1866. — In June, Cornelius Sullivan was drowned in Conant Brothers' 
mill pond. 

1868. — In March, Noah Richards was killed by the falling of an eleva- 
tor. In November, Dennis Murphy was killed by the caving in of 
a gravel bank. A child of William Morrisey was scalded to death. 

1870. — In July, George Franklin was found dead in his bed. 

1873. — In July, Mede Millet was drowned in Crystal Lake. December 
6th, Alvin Noyes, son of Charles Noyes, and Joseph Chagnon, son 
of Theodore Chagnon, were drowned in Crystal Lake, while skating. 

1874. — In April, Paul Harrigan Avas drowned in L. H. Sawin & Co's 
pond. In July, John Dodwell was found dead in a well. In Sep- 
tember, Alfred Murray, a boy nine years old was killed on the rail- 
road, near Dr. Parker's saAv mill. In October, Ellen Reagan was 
killed by a fragment of a stone thrown from a ledge, by a blast. 

IS 75. — Thomas Lynch died in consequence of being thrown from a 
wagon. 

1876. — In May, Daniel O'Connell and Frank Donahue were killed on 
the railroad a short distance west of Dr. Parker's mill. October 
5th, Samuel G. Gates was struck by cars and killed, at Gates' 
crossing, on the Boston, Barre and Gardner Railroad. In October, 
James Allen was killed by falling from a tree. 

1877. — March 25th, Patrick O'Connor was killed by a tree falling on 
him. 

Small Pox. — There were four deaths from small pox in 1854, 
two in 1855, one in 1870 and two in 1871. 

Suicide. — There have been nine deaths by suicide since the 
organization of the town. 

Murders. — It is not known that there have ever been more 
than two murders committed in Gardner. On the night of the 
7th of March, 1855, a shocking murder was committed in this 
town. The house of Miss Miriam Kneeland and Mrs. Sarah K. 



HISTORY OF GABDNEB. 325 

Phinney, was entered, by breaking in a window, while the oc- 
cupants were in their beds, and the murderer, with malice pre- 
pense, and without any provocation, maliciously murdered 
these two persons by striking them on their heads with a 
cudgel. The instrument used was a chair post. The murder 
was not disclosed until the next day evening. This affair so 
agitated the town, that there was but little business accom- 
plished for a week. There was great exertion made to ascer- 
tain the perpetrator of the horrible deed. The selectmen 
oflfered a reward of $500 to any one who would detect and bring 
to justice the assassin. 

A young man by the name of George Stacy was arrested and 
examined before a Justice Court in this town. The evidence 
was so strong against him, that he was held to appear before the 
justices of the Superior Court, next to be holden at Worcester. 
The Grand Jury found a bill against him, and the case went to 
the Trial Jury, but their verdict was — not guilty. 

The funeral of these ladies was attended at the meeting- 
house the next Sabbath, by a large congregation. Rev. A. 
Stowell preached a sermon from these words: "They were 
lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths they were 
not divided," 2 Samuel, 1 : 23. The congregation was so large 
that a part of them repaired to the Town Hall, where Rev. J. 
C. Paine preached from the text found in Proverbs, 4:27, 
" Turn not to the right hand or to the left, remove thy foot from 
evil." 

The victims of this murder were daughters of Timothy Knee- 
land, whose name is mentioned among the early settlers of 
Gardner. Miss Kneeland was 85 years of age, and Mrs. Phin- |f 
ney, 75. For a number of years they were the only occupants 
of the house. They were humble and exemplary christians. 

Longevity. — Only one resident in town has been known to 
arrive at the age of one hundred years. A man by the name 
of Chapel, of English birth, died in this town in 1820, supposed 
to be about 103 years old. 



326 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



As near as can be ascertained there have been one hundred 
and forty-three deaths in this town of persons eighty years old 
and upwards, within the last sixty years, twenty-three of whom 
were ninety and upwards, viz. : 

Mrs. Rebecca Clark 81 

Mrs. Betsey Dickenson 81 

Mrs. Daniels 82 

Mrs. Margaret Delay 85 

John Eaton 81 

Mrs. John Eaton, Jr 82 

Levi Fairbank . 90 

Mrs. Levi Fairbank 92 

Levi Fairbank, Jr 83 

Mrs. Levi Fairbank 81 

Noah Fairbank 80 

Mrs. Noah Fairbank 82 

Jacob Fisher 88 

Mrs. Jacob Fisher 88 

Mrs. Peres French 81 

Mrs. Martha Freeman 91 

Mrs. Jonathan Greenwood.. . .82 

John Glazier 86 

Mrs. Sarah Glazier 86 

Lewis Glazier 86 

Mrs. Lewis Glazier 94 

Smyrna Glazier 94 

Mrs. Symrna Glazier 81 

Mrs. Simeon Gates 88 

Mrs. Nathan Gates 84 

Mrs. Simeon Gates, Jr 84 

Mrs. Elizabeth Goodnow 91 

Mrs. Charles Greenwood 82 

Mrs. Susanna Gates 88 

Seth Hey wood.- 89 

Mrs. Abigail Hill 93 

Reuben Haynes 86 

Mrs. Ebenezer Howe 86 

Mrs. Asa Hill 90 

Loami Hartshorn 82 



Daniel Adams 85 

Mrs. Lucy Allen 88 

Mr. Axdaile 82 

William Bickford 89 

Mrs. William Bickford 87 

Andrew Beard SQ 

Mrs. Andrew Beard 90 

Ebenezer Bolton 87 

Mrs. Ebenezer Bolton 87 

Thomas Baker 81 

Joel Brooks 84 

William Bickford, Jr 89 

Aaron Bolton 83 

John Baker 87 

Mr, Brooks 84 

Ebenezer Bickford 82 

Miss Hepzibah Beaixl 84 

Mrs. Betsey Barber 89 

Mrs. Edmoud Bickford 90 

Mrs. Elijah Brick 84 

Mrs. Sarah Bancroft 86 

Mrs. Hannah Brown 80 

Artemas Bush 85 

James Coolidge 94 

Mrs. James Coolidge 80 

Mrs. Mary H. Cutler 83 

John Crosby 83 

David Comee 82 

Mrs. David Comee, Jr 90 

Mrs. James Comee 84 

Joseph Clark 80 

Mrs. Benjamin Clark 82 

Uriah Clapp 83 

Joel Cowee .80 

Mrs. Coleman 89 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



327 



Abijah Hinds.... 80 

Mrs. Mary A. Houghton 85 

Mrs. Ellen Haley 80 

Mrs. Elizabeth Henshaw 82 

Joseph Hill 80 

Ebenezer Jackson 83 

Josiah Jackson 83 

Mrs. Elisha Jackson 80 

Benjamin Kendall 96 

Mrs. Polly Kendall 90 

Jonathan Kendall 87 

Mrs. Jonathan Kendall 90 

Timothy Kneeland 81 

Mrs. Timothy Kneeland 87 

John Kemp 82 

Mrs. John Kemp 87 

Miss Lydia Kneeland 87 

Miss Miriam Kneeland 86 

Mrs. Enos Kelton 80 

Samuel KeUon 92 

Stephen Knowlton 91 

Mrs. Mary Lynde 80 

James Lynch 80 

John Matthews 82 

Abel Mosman 87 

Mrs. Abel Mosman 90 

Mrs. Sarah Martin 85 

John McNamara 81 

Miss Polly Moore 84 

Mrs. Lucy Metcalf 83 

Mrs. Hasadiah Mead 82 

Mrs. Nabby Merriam 85 

John Miles 89 

Mrs. John Miles 81 

Henry Newton 83 

Mrs. David Nichols 84 

Joseph Payson 89 



Mrs. Joseph Payson (Betsey) . .82 
Mrs. Joseph Payson (Sarah) . .82 

Mrs. Adam Partridge 87 

Mrs. Jabez Partridge 83 

Mrs. Anna Putnam 84 

Mrs. Allen Perley 89 

Moses Porter 84 

Mrs. Robert Powers 88 

Ephraim Pratt 84 

Ebenezer Reed 83 

Abel Richardson 82 

Asa Richardson >^Q 

Mrs. Mary Rugg 93 

Miss Mary Rugg 82 

Dr. Shumway 88 

Samuel Stone 80 

Mrs. Samuel Stone 90 

Jude Sawyer 93 

Mrs. Jude Sawyer 85 

Mrs. Joseph Simonds 84 

Moses Sanders 88 

Mrs. Sally Stevens 88 

Mr. Tucker 84 

Mrs. Elijah Traverse 82 

Mrs. Dorcas Wheeler 80 

Miss Hasadiah Wilder 85 

Mrs. Joanna Wilder 91 

Wm. Whitney 81 

Joseph Whitney 83 

Joseph Whitney, 2d 82 

Joel Whitney 92 

Mrs. Jonas White 86 

Mrs. Sarah Waite 88 

Mrs. Polly Wood 85 

Jonathan Wood 83 

Isaiah Warren 83 



328 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

The following is the ratio of deaths to population in this town 
during the four decades between 1830 and 1870 : — 

The average ratio of deaths from 1830 to 1840, was one in 
64.4 of the population or 15.5 per 1000; from 1840 to 1850 it 
was one in 50.2, or 19.9 per 1000; from 1850 to 1860 it was 
one in 59.6, or 16.6 per 1000 ; from 1860 to 1870 it was one in 
65.3, or 15.1 per 1000; average for the forty years, one in 
59.8, or 16.7 per 1000. 

From 1870 to 1875, one in 61.9 or 16.1 per 1000; average 
for 45 years, one in 60.3, or 16.5 per 1000. The ratio of deaths 
to population in the state in 1875 was one in 52.8, or 19.2 per 
1000. 

The oldest person now living in town is Mrs. Joseph Cool- 
idge, whose age is 96. She is a daughter of Dea. Moses 
Hale of Wiuchendon. She has a brother now living' whose age 
is 94, the Hon. Artemas Hale of Bridgewater, Mass. 





-^^^t/^^;^ 



<3rc 




'/AJL^ 





/^ 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 329 



CHAPTER XV. 

GENEALOGY OF THE EARLY FAMILIES OF GARDNER. 

" My derivation was from ancestors 
Who stood equivalent with mighty Ijings." 

— Pericles. Act V., Scene I. 

% 

" My boast is not that I deduce my birth 

From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth ; 

But higher far my proud pretensions rise — 

The son of parents pass'd into the skies." — Cowper. 

"Look where we may, the wide earth o'er. 

Those lighted faces smile no more. 

We tread the paths their feet have worn. 

We sit beneath their orchard trees, 

We hear, like them, the hum of bees 

And rustle of the bladed corn ; 

We turn the pages that they read. 

Their written words we linger o'er, 

But in the sun they cast no shade. 

No voice is heard, no sign is made, 

No step is on the conscious floor!" 

— Whittier's Snoio Bound. 

IT was our i)Lirpose, originally, to bring the genealogies, 
presented in this chapter, down to the present time. We 
however, soon discovered this design to be impracticable, for 
want of space. Consequently Ave have selected the year 1840 
as the date at which we would pause, excepting, only those 
families whose commencement was previous to that time, in 
which children have been born subsequent to that period. In 
such cases we have not felt at liberty to stop in the midst of a 
family. 

42 



330 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

We are not siiiBcieiitly vain to suppose that we have made a 
perfect record of the families here named. Every one, who 
has had experience in this sort of hibor, very well understands 
that errors, in such instances, are unavoidable. It is not too 
much to suppose, that it would be impossible to tind a toAvn, in 
which the family records have been kept with perfect accuracy 
and completeness. Previous to 1840, or about that time, the 
laws of this state, were not so strict, in the matter of recording- 
births, deaths and marriages, as they are at the present time ; 
and the negligence of the most careful parents, in having the 
proper records made, in connection with other causes, renders 
it impossible to give an accurate genealogy of families, from 
the town records. WehaAe, however, sought with considerable 
labor and pains, to present the following records as completely 
and accurately as the means within our reach would permit, and 
as a last resort, must now cast ourselves upon the charitable 
judgment of those most interested, in the study of that which 
is here recorded. 

Abbreviations. — B. denotes born; cl., died; ni., married; s., sou; dan., 
daughter; ch., child or children. Towns referred to, are understood as 
located in Massachusetts, unless otherwise designated. 

Adams, Daniel, m. Dinah Metcalf; their ch. were: 1. Ezekiel, b. 
Mar. 2, 1813. 2. Hosea, b. Apr. 4, 1814. 3. Sarah, b. Nov. 1, 
1815, m. Job Clark. 4. Louisa, b. Feb. 27, 1817, m. Charles 
Hartwell. 5. Sophia, b. Oct. 16, 1818, m. George KeUon. 6. 
Ehoda, b. Aug. 9, 1820, m. Ivers Whitney. 7. Merrick, b. June 
14, 1823, m. Martha Brown. 8. Daniel, b. Sept. 6, 1826, m. Miss 
Rolfe. His second wife was Mary (Baker) Nichols. 

Adams, Ezekiel, s. of Daniel, m. Rhoda Bolton ; their ch. were: 1. 
Nelson, b. Oct. 24, 1841. 2. Horatio, b. July 26, 1845. 3. 
Eveline E., b. Oct. 13, 1847. 4. Eugene, b. Aug. 13, 1852. 

Adams, Hosea, s. of Daniel, m. Rebecca Conant ; their ch. were: 1. 
Flavila R., b. May 10, 1841. 2. Ellen M., b. Nov. 24, 1845. 

Bacon, Joseph, one of the first settlers, came from Sherborne about 
1772, and located on the place now owned by David W. Miller, at 



HISTORY OF GABDNEIL 331 

the upper or north side of Crystal Lake. He buik the house now 
occupied by Mr. Miller. He was a carpenter and farmer. Until 
the organization of the town, he was an inhabitant of Winchendon, 
and, according to the records of that town, a somewhat prominent 
man. After its organization he was its Town Clerk eight consecu- 
tive years, besides filling other important town offices. He m. 
Abigail Cole; their ch. were: 1. Cliarlotte, b. Jan. 25, 1769. 
2. Arna, b. Jan. 1(3, 1771. 3. Joseph, b. June 19, 1774, d. Aug. 
31, 1775. 4. Abigail, b. May 12, 1776. 5. Atarah, b. June 3, 
1778, ra. Mr. Burbank. 6. Eliel, b. Sept. 7, 1780. 7. Arathusa, 
b. Sept. 26,- 1784. 8. Joseph, b. Mar. 2, 1787. 9. Francis, b. 
Mar. 15, 1794. Mr. Bacon died Nov. 27, 1808, aged 62. His 
wife died in Dec, 1806. 

Bacon, Ahna, s. of Joseph, m. Betsey Sawin of Westminster ; their 
eh. were: 1. Betsey, b. Aug. 22, 1793. She is now living, and 
is eighty- four years of age. 2. Sophronia M., b. Sept. 4, 1809, 
m. John Lewis of Westminster. Mr. Bacon moved to Westmins- 
ter about 1815. 

Bacon, ICliel, s. of Josej)h, m. Christiana, dau. of David and Hannah 
(Mailman) Comee ; their ch. were: 1. Calvin C, b. Sept. 15, 
1804. 2. Eliza C. 3. Francis. 4. Nancy. 5. Cynthia M. 6. 
James. 7. Matthias C. He left town in 1805 for the West. 

Bacon, Joseph, son of Joseph, m. Lucy, dau. of Aaron and Lucy 
(Jackson) Wood ; their ch. were : Sereno, Almira and Francis. 
Mr. Bacon moved to Pennsylvania soon after he married. 

Bacon, Francis, s. of Joseph 1st, m. Malinda, dau. of Abel Kendall ; 
their ch. were: Mary, Charles, Maria and Asa. He also left 
town for the West soon after marrying. 

Banister, Daniel, from Boylston, m. Anna ; their ch. were : 

1. Sally, b. Dec. 27, 1800. 2. Angelina, b. May 11, 1805. He 
moved back to Boylston in 1812. 

Bancroft, Jonathan, from Ward, (now Auburn) came here about 
1772, and settled where his grandson, Dea. S. W. Bancroft, now 
lives. He was a farmer and shoemaker. He very narrowly es- 
caped being drowned while attempting to cross the pond, one even- 
ing, on the ice. Coming to an open place he fell in, but recovered 
himself. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was at 



332 HISTORY OF GABDNER. 

the taking of Burgoyne aud liit; nriny in 1777. He m. Sarah Case ; 
their children were: 1. Jonathan, b. Feb. 7, 1775. 2. Smyrna, 
b. May 15, 1776. 3. Sally, b. Jan. 21, 177.S. 4. Mary, b. Oct. 
13, 1779. 5. Betsey, b. Jan. 7, 1782. G. Lucy, b. Sept. 11, 
1787. 7. Koxy, b. May 31, 178i). Mr. Bancroft's tirst wife, 
(mother of tlje above named children) died Feb. 17, 181(5. Tie 

afterward m. Elizabeth , who died Dec 2, 1822. He died 

Sept. 25, 1826, aged 76. 
Bancroft, Jonathan, s. of Jonathan, m. Betsey Parker, from West- 
ford ; their ch. were : 1. Sophia, b. Jan. 19,1800. 2. Mary, 
b. Oct. 23, 1801, d. Sept. 17, 1805. 3. Laura F., b. Aug. 24, 
1803, d. Sept. 3, 1805. 4. Jonathan O., b. Sept. 12, 1806. 5. 
Mary Amanda, b. Nov. 17, 1808. 6. Laura E.,b. Dec. 12, 1812. 
7. Jesse P., b. April 15, 1815. 8. Lucius L.,b. Oct. 25, 1818. 9. 
Smyrna 0., b. Jan. 9, 1822. Mr. Bancrof\ died in 1840, aged 65. 

Bancroft, Smyrna, s. of Jonathan 1st, m. Sarah Whitney of Win- 
chendon ; their ch. were : 1. Harvey M., b. May 1, 1803, in 1828 
he m. Betsey C, dau. of Lewis and Lucy (Keyes) Glazier, when 
they moved to Ashburnham where they are noAv living. 2. Smyr- 
na W., b. Dec. 13, 1804. 3. Mary E., b. Nov. 5, 1807. 4. Sally 
W., b. April 13, 1810. 5. Amasa, b. Mar. 16, 1812. 6. Viola, 
b. Aug. 26, 1815. Mr. Bancroft d. May 5, 1818, aged 4 2. 

Bancroft, Smyrna W., s. of Smyrna, m. Lucy, dau. of Elisha and 
Relief (Beard) Jackson; their ch. were: 1. Sally W., b. Feb. 2. 
1828, d. Mar. 30, 1832. 2. Walter, b. Mar. 7, 1830. 3. Mary, 
b. Feb. 21, 1832. 4. Charles, b. May 5, 1836. 5. Elmira, b. 
June 13, 1843. 6* Amasa, b. Aug. 21, 1846. 7. Eugene, b. 
June 16, 1849. 

Bancroft, Amasa, s. of Smyrna, m. Caroline A., dau. of Nehemiah 
and Matilda (Bolton) Shumway ; their ch. were: 1. Caroline JNL, 
b. June 2, 1837. 2. Mary A., b. Aug. 1, 1844, d. Sept. 12, 1862. 
His second wife was Mrs. Jane AVyman. 

Baker, Jonas, from INlarlboro', was a farmer in the south part of the 
town. He m. Miss Adams. His second wife was Susan Simonds, 
whose ch. were: 1. Joseph S., b. Nov. o, 1790. 2. Betsey, b. 
Oct. 21, 1793. 3. Jonas. Mr. Baker left town about 1794. 

Baker, John, from JNIarlboro', was also a farmer living in the south 
part of the town and brother of Jonas. He m. Elizabeth Marshall ; 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 333 

their cli. were : 1. INIilley, in. Nathan Eaton of Westminster. 2. 
Esther. 3. Lydia. He was a three years man in the Revohition- 
ary War. He died in 1835, aged 87. 

Bakek, George, also from Marlboro', and brother of the two preced- 
ing. They all located in the same vicinity and were of like occu- 
pation. He married Dinah Parmenter ; their ch. were: 1. Ar- 
temas, b. Aug. 6, 1777, m. Sarah Nichols. 2. Persis, b. June 3, 
1783. 3. George A., b. Oct. 5, \lxl , m. Olive Holden. 4, 
Nancy, b. July 7, 178*), d. Aug. 12, 171)1. 5. Dinah, b. Apr. 
11, 171)1, m. Ebei Underwood. 6. Amos. 

Baker, Thomas, from Westminster, settled on a farm now owned by 
Daniel Adams. He m. Mary Lewis ; their ch. were: 1. Ezra, 
b. Apr. 19, 1789. 2. Richard, b. Mar. 1, 1791. 3. Mary, b. 
May 26, 1793, m. David Nichols. 4. Joseph, b. July 15, 1795. 
5. Roena, b. Sept. 28, 1803, m. Charles Childs. Mr. Baker died 
Mar. 24, 1842, aged 81. 

Baker, Ezra, s. of Thomas, m. Lucy, dau. of Joseph and Patience 
(Styles) Priest; their children were: 1. Fanny, b. Feb. 2, 1813, 
m. Merrick Wallace. 2. Joel, b. April 5, 1815. 3. Levi, b. 
June 21, 1817, d. August 21, 1819. 4. Betsey, b. Sep. 27, 1819. 
5. Joseph, b. July 15, 182G. 6. Charles, b. Dec. 14, 1828. 

Baker, Richard, s. of Thomas, m. Althina, dau. of William and Ann 
(Heywood) Whitney; their children were: 1. William, b. Jan. 
22, 1817. 2. Lucy, b. Mar. 3, 1818, d. Dec. 26, 1834. 3. 
Mary, b. Apr. 22, 1819. 4. Walter, b. Nov. 5, 1821, d. Oct. 14, 
1843. 5. Betsey, b. Oct. 14, 1823. 6. Francis L., b. Jan. 30, 
1827. 7. Richard B., b. July 25, 1830 " 8. Calvin H., b. Apr. 
10, 1832. 9. Lucy Ann, b. Nov. 12, 1834. 10. Angeline, b. 
Nov. 22, 1838. 

Baker, Joseph, s. of Thomas, m. Esther Holt; they had one child 
named Alexander, b. Mar. 10, 1819. He soon after left town. 

Baker, George A., s. of George, m. Olive Holden; their ch. w^ere : 
1. George H., b. Feb. 20, 1817. 2. Willard, b. July 15, 1819. 
3. Roxa, b. Oct. 9, 1821. 4. Sumner, b. Oct. 21, 1826. 

Baker, George H., s. of George A., m. Roena, dau. of David and 
Mary Nichols; their ch. were: 1. Mary Jane, b. July 1, 1838. 
Plis other children were born after he left town. 



334 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Baker, Luthkr, m. Harriet Partridge; their cli. were: 1. Jude Saw- 
yer, b. Mar. 12, 1821, d. Apr. 22, 1821. 2. Jouas, b. Feb. 9, 
1822. 3. Mary Aun, b. Nov. 16, 1823. 4. Calvin, b. Apr. 12, 
1827. 5. Lucas, b. Jan. 28. 1829. 

Barker, Joseph, m. 3Iartha, dau. of Ahio and Betsey (Heywood) Tem- 
ple ; their ch. were : 1. Martha, b. Mar. 9, 1810. 2. Mary, b. 
Aug. 31, 1811. 3. Joseph, b. Jan. 25, 1813. He died July 19, 

1813. 

Barker, Joseph, s. of Joseph, m. Lucy, dau. of Noah and Hannah 
(Whitcomb) Fairbank ; their ch. Avere : 1. Mary E., b. June 4, 
1839. 2. Eliza A., b. Oct. 27, 1841. 3. Martha M., b. April 26, 
1845. 

Ballou, Oziel, m. Emily ; their ch. were: 1. Henry E., b. 

May 24, 1841. 2. Emily J., b. Feb. 13, 1843; moved to Rich- 
mond, N. H. 

Ballou, Ebexezer, m. Betsey, dau. of Ezekiel and Susanna (Payson) 
Howe; their ch. were: 1. Mary, b. Aug. 8, 1844. 2. Olive, b. 
May 2. 1848. 3. Joseph P., b. Oct. 24, 1851, d. July 16, 1856. 
4. Fanny, b. June 25, 1P58. 5. Martha P., b. May 17, 1861. 

Baldwin, Josiah, one of the first inhabitants, lived in town a few 
years, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War three years. He 
m. Susanna, dau. of Israel Green ; they had one child whose name 
was Susanna, she m. James Cowee ; their ch. were : Persis, Joel, 
Rebecca, Susan, Betsey, Mehitable, Sarah, Lucinda, Pearson, 
George AV., Aaron, James, William, John and Reuel G. 

Beard, Andrew, from Reading, settled in the south part of the town 
about 1772, andAvas, by trade, a carpenter. He m. Miss Burnap ; 
their ch. Avere : 1. Lizzie. 2. Tabitha, m. Abel Woodard. 3. 
AndreAv, m. Lucy Dunn. 4. Artemas, m. Lydia Baker. 5. 
Aaron, m. Anna Dunster. 6. Mary. 7. Abel. 8. Bethia, m. 
Aaron Wood. 9. Dorcas, m. Mr. Jewett. 10. Hephzibah. 11. 
Lucinda. Mr. Beard died in 1831. 

Beard, Andreav, s. of AndreAv, m. Lucy ; their children Avere ; 

1. Andrew, b. Dec. 19, 1795. 2. Vinal C, b. Jan. 31, 1807, d. 
June 21, 1817. Mr. Beard died in 1851, aged 79. 

Bennett, Thomas, m. Mary ; their ch. Avere : 1. Thomas, b. 

Jan. 14, 1798,m. Emma Foster. 2. Hannah, m. Nahum Wallace. 
3. Mary, m. Samuel H. Clark. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 835 

Bennett, Thomas, s. of Thomas, m. Emma Foster of Ashburnham ; 
they had oue child named Mary Ami H., b. Oct. 24, 1823, and 
soon after they moved to Ashburuliam, where they liad other chil- 
di-en. He was a sohlier in the war of 1812, and is still living and 
about 80 years of age. 

BiGELOAV, Marsiiaee, m. Elizabeth Clark ; they had one child named 
Sylvia, b. Mar. 13, 1801. 

BiCKFOUD, William, came from Readiag about 1771. He located in 
what is now the South Village. He built a saw and grist-mill, the 
first in the town, where the chair shop of Horace F. Parker now is. 
He served a period in the French War at Nova Scotia and was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. He m. Tabitha Pai'ker ; their 
ch. were* 1. Tabitha, m. Nathan Howard. 2. William, m. 
Betsey White. .'5. P^benezer, m. Sarah Hill. 4. Nathan, d. 5. 
David, d. G. Edinond, m. Nancy Emory. 7. David, d. Mr. 
Bickford died in 1832, aged 89. 

BiCKFORD, William, s. of William, m. Betsey White ; their children 
were: 1. Cassandana, b. May lo, 1812, m. Abram Temple. 2. 
Amanda M. b. Dec. 9, 1814, d. Dec. 12, 1814. 3. Betsey, b. 
Dec. 4, 1817, d. Dec. 4, 1817. Mr. Bickford died in 1847, aged 
7i), his wife in 1841, aged G3. 

Bickford, Ebenezer, s. of William 1st, m. Sarah Hill; their ch. 
were: 1. Roena, b. July 8, 1801. 2. George W., b. June 25, 
1803. 3. Francis A., b. Feb. 7, 180G. 4. Asa D., b. Mar. 17, 
1808. T). Sally, b. Nov. 5, 1810. 6. Mary, b. Aug. 17, 1813. 

7. Martha, b. Feb. 17, 1816. 8. David. 9. William: He died 
Nov. 10, 1855, aged, 82. She died June 19, 1857, aged 76. 

Bickford, Edmond, s. of William 1st, m. Nancy Emory ; their ch. 
were: 1. Albert, b. Feb. 16, 1807. 2. Lucinda, b. July 10, 
1808. 3. Tabitha, b. Dec. 16, 1811. 4. Oliver E., b. Mar. 12, 
1812. 5. Nancy, b. Dec. 20, 181o. 6. Betsey, b. Apr. 1, 1820, 
d. Apr. 20, 1820. 7. Charles, b. May 23, 1824. 8. Otis, b. 
Dec. 12, 1825, d. April 13, 1826. He died in 1826 and she died 
in 1876, aged 91. 

Bickford, George W., s. of ICbenezer, m. Amanda Cole; their ch. 
were: 1. Walter B., b .May 15, 1829. 2. Harriet B., b. Sept. 
6, 1830. 3. Ann Maria, b. Mar. 30, 1832. 4. Otis H., b. Feb. 

8, 1836. 



336 HISTORY OF GAIWNEB. 

BiCKFORD, Asa D., s. of Ebenezer, m. Sarah AUeu ; their ch. were ; 1. 
Eliza, b June 10, 1837. 2. Amelia, b. Jan. 4, 1840. 3. Chas., 
b. Feb. 23, 1842. 4. Ellen L., b. Nov. 15, 1'843. 5. Lucy A., b. 
()ct. 4, 1850. 

BiCKFORD, David P., s. of Ebenezer, m. Lydia, dau. of Elijah and 
Betsey (Martin) Travers ; their ch. were : 1. Horace P., b. May 23, 
1840, d. 2. Clara J., b. Apr. 6, 1845. 3. Horace C, b. Jan. 5, 
1848. 4. David, b. July 22, 1850. 5. Imogene, b. Sept. 15, 1851. 

Blodgett, Fletcher, m. Elmira ; their ch. were : 1. Eugene, 

b. July 12, 1840, d. 2. Poena F., b. Aug. 15, 1842. 3. Mary L., 
b. Mar. 7, 1846, d. Feb. 17, 1847. 4. Eugene, b. Dec. 7, 1847. 
5. Charles, b. Nov. 26, 1850. 6. Mary H., b. May 23, 1853. 

Boyden, Joseph, came into town about 1780, m. Mary, dau. of Seth 
and Mary (Temple) Heywood ; their ch. were : 1. Mary, b. Oct. 
17, 1792. 2. Wyat C, b. Dec. 5, 1794. 3. Lucy. 4. Ebenezer, 
5. Frederick. 6. Joseph. Mr. Boyden was a physician, and after 
practicing here a few years, he went to Tamworth, N. H., where 
he became eminent, but was suddenly cut olf in the midst of life, 
by a fall from his horse. 

Bolton, Ebenezer, one of the first settlers, from Reading, located in 
the south part of the town as a farmer. He was in the battle of 
Bunker Hill, and was afterwards a pensioner. He m. Elizabeth 
Holt; their ch. were: 1. Betsey, m. Nathan Taft. 2. Jerusha, 
m. Silas Holt. 3. Esther, d. 4 and 5. Abram and Asa, (^twins) 
d. 6. Ebenezer, m. Lenday Leland. Mr. Bolton died in 1835, aged 
87. 

Bolton, Ebenezer, s. of Ebenezer, m. Lindey, dau. of Simeon and 
Rhoda (Hill) Leland; their ch. were: 1. Hollis, b. Dec. 1, 1799. 
2. Horatio N., b. May 25, 1806. 3. Emily, b. Feb. 26, 1814. 4. 
Ransom, b. May, 2, 1817. 5. Rhoda, b. Dec. 24, 1821. 6. Be- 
larmin, b. Oct. 10, 1824. « 

Bolton, Horatio N., m. Mary Waite ; their ch. were : 1. Harriet, b. 
Oct. 6, 1831. 2. Melinda, b. Dec. 22, 1832. 3. Christopher, b. 
Nov. 4, 1834. 4. Sidney, b. July 13, 1838. Mr. Bolton died 
Nov. 15, 1838. 

Brick, Jonas, one of the first settlers, came from Sherburne, and 
located in the south part of the town, near Westminster line. He 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 337 

m. Hannah Ricliardson ; their first four children, viz. : Silas, 
Asahel, Charlotte and Sally were born in Sherburne. 5. Enoch, 
b. June 24, 1790. 6. Elijah, b. Apr. 26, 1792. 7. Jonas, b. 
July 31, 1794, d. Apr. 19, 1795. 8. Judith, b. July 31, 1794. 
9. Jonas, b. Oct. 10, 179G. Mr. Brick died in 1822, aged 64. 

Brick, Asahel, s. of Jonas, m. Betsey Snow; their ch. were: 1. 
Asahel Augustus, b. July 14, 1812. 2. Ephraim Sumner, b. June 

25, 1814. 3. Susan Sawyer, b. May 8, 1816, d. Oct. 1, 1826. 
4. Jonas R., b. July 4, 1818, d. Aug. 11, 1821. 5. Jerome Snow, 
b. Nov. 3, 1820. His second wife was Betsey Carpenter; they 

had: Betsey Jane, b. Mar. 10, 1822, m. Dr. Allen. 

Asahel A. and Ephraim S. went to Augusta, Me., where they have 
since died. 

Brick, Jerome, s. of Asahel, m. Lucy Ann Oliver ; their ch. were : 
1. Sarah E.,b. May 23, 1843, m. George W. Marshall. 2. Geo. 
S., b. Feb. 25, 1846, d. Feb. 26, 1846. 3. Mary R.,b. Apr. 15, 
1849, m. Daniel M. Rice. 4. Hattie M., b. Mar. 4, 1854, d. 
Oct. 12, 1854. 5. Frank M.,b. Apr. 23, 1856, d. May 25, 1856. 

Brick, Elijah, s. of Jonas, m. Sally, dau. of David and Christiana 
(Maltman) Comee ; their ch. were: 1. Alfred 11., b. Jan. 26, 
1815. 2. David C, b. Mar. 8, 1817. 3 and 4. Mary and Maria, 
(twins) b. May 18, 1821. Mary d. 5. Eliza, b. Feb. 25, 1823, 
d. Aug. 2, 1824. 6. Sarah, b. July 24, 1826. 7. Mary, b. June 

26, 1829. 8. Walter, b. Jan. 17, 1834. 

Brick, Jonas, s. of Jonas, m. Esther Whitney ; their ch. were : Mary 
Ann and Esther. He left town many years since. 

Brick, Alfred H., s. of Elijah, m. Lucy, dau. of James and Dolly 
(Corey) Scollay. For some reason he has no record on the town 
book; their ch. were: 1. Francis. 2. Eliza, d. 3. Harriets. 
His second wife was Martha C. Mahoney ; their ch. were : George 
A., Henry H., Charles E. and Helen M. His first wife died Nov. 
19, 1846. 

Brick, David C, s. of Elijah, m. Sarah Priest ; their ch. were: 1. 
Charles Augustus, b. Jan. 19. 1839. 2. Squire Wesley, b. Mar. 
30, 1842, d. same year. Mrs. Brick died June 6, 1842, and Mr. 
Brick moved to Fitchburg soon afterwards. 

43 



338 HISTORY OF GAEDNFE. 

Brigham, Seth, m. Eunice ; their ch. were: 1. Emerald, b. 

May 1, 1790. 2. Tameson, b. Sept. 10, 1792. 3. p:mcthist. b. 
Aug. T), 1796. Mr. Brigham was in town but a few years and it 
is uncertain where he went. 

Brinkman, John, m. Nancy (Temple) Fairbauk ; they had one child, 
John, b. Nov. 3, 1838. 

Brooks, Joel, one of the first settlers, came irom Stow. He located 
in the west part of the town, on what is known as the Brooks Hill, 
and was one of the best farmers in town. He m. Tameson, dau. of 
Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Deland) Howe; their ch. were: 1. 
Lydia, b. Mar. 7, 1792, m. David Nichols. She died Nov. 30, 
1812. 2. Lucy, b. Feb. 18, 1794, m. George Scott. 3. Betsey, 
b. June 22, 1796, m. Isaac Jackson. 4. Joel, b. Apr. 5, 1798. 
5. Silas, b. July 8, 1800. 6. Luke, b. July 20, 1803, d. May 25, 
1806. 7. Anna, b. Dec. 21, 1805. Mrs. Brooks died Jan. 13, 
1806, aged 36. He married for his second wife, Azubah Pierce, 
who died Mar. 19, 1841. He died Feb. 4, 1841, aged 84. 

Brooks, Joel, s. of Joel, m. Cynthia, dau. of Isaac and Betsey (Whit- 
ney) Taylor; their ch. were: 1. Betsey, b. Apr. 15, 1825, m. 
Luman H. Heudrick. 2. Lucy Ann, b. May 23, 1829, m. Charles 
Roper. Mr. Brooks died Feb. 13, 1877, aged 78. 

Brooks, Silas, s. of Joel 1st, m. Emily, dau. of Josiah and Annis 
(Derby) Conant ; their ch. were: 1. Luke, b. May 14, 1825. 
2. Sylvanus, b. Feb 18, 1828. 3. Emily E., b. Feb. 28, 1830. 
4. George, b. May 4, 1835. 5. Joel, b. June 4, 1837. 6. Web- 
ster, b. Dec. 8, 1841. He died in 1846, aged 46. » 

Brown, Jonathan, from Westminster, m. Beulah, dau. of Elisha and 
Beulah (Taylor) Jackson; their ch. were: 1. Jonathan, b. Jan. 
21, 1791. 2. John, b. Mar. 12, 1793. 3. Charles, b. Oct. 23, 
1795, d. 4. Elisha, b. Apr. 25, 1798. 5. Charles, b. Mar. 12, 
1800. 6. Sally, b. July 22, 1803, d. 7. Sally, b. Sept. 16, 1805. 
8. Benjamin Babbitt, b. Oct. 24, 1807. 9. Lucy, b. June 7, 1810. 
10 Nancy, b. Mar. 12, 1813. Mr.- Brown lived in the east part 
of the town where his grandson Charles Brown now lives. He 
died Jan. 24, 1840, aged 74. His wife died Nov. 24, 1839, aged 67. 

Brown, Jonathan, s. of Jonathan, m. Abigail, dau. of Josiah and 
Annie (Derby) Conant; their ch. were: 1. Abigail. 2 and 3. 



U18T0BY OF GARDNER. 339 

Maria and Myraudu (twins). 4. Emily. 5. Jonathan L. 6. Eli- 
sha J. 7. Martha. 8. Charles. 'J Lucy, b. Apr. 30, 1833. 10. 
Mary, b. Mar. 15, 1836. 11. Edward R., b Mar. 9, 1838. The 
first eight of his children were born in Wendell, Mass., the other 
three in Gardner. His second wife was Miss Marriet Thompson. 
Childs, Daniel, one of the first settlers, located in the north part of the 

town, where the late Ai Stone lived. He m. Phebe ; their 

ch. were : 1. William, b. Nov. 22, 1778. 2. Daniel, b. Sept. 22, 
1780. 3. Jonas, b. Dec. 23, 1782, d. Jan. 10, 1790. 4. Polly, 
b. Apr. 12, 1785. 5. Timothy, b. Nov. 7, 1787. 6. Nathaniel, 
b. Jan. 31, 1789. 7. Cynthia, b. Nov. 3, 1790, 8, Jonas, b. 
Aug. 17, 1792, m. Amelia L. F. Osgood. 9. Betsey, b. Oct. 16, 
1794, m. Abel Kendall. 10. Harriet, b. Dec. 10, 1796. 11. 
Lucy, b. Nov. 15, 1798. 12. Charles, b. June 2, 1801, m. Poena 
Baker. 13. Abijah, b Apr. 11, 1805. 14. Francis, b. Sept. 29, 
1807. Mr. Childs moved to N. Y., in 1815. 

Childs, Daniel, s. of Daniel, m. Sally ; they had one child 

named Mary, b. Feb. 17, 1809. 

Childs, Jonas, s. of Daniel 1st, m. Amelia L. F., dau. of Rev. Jona- 
than Osgood; their ch. were: 1. Lucius, b. June 12, 1815. 2. 
Amelia A. 3. Amanda. 

Cheney, Lorenzo, m Lorena Lane ; their ch. were: 1. Lorenzo L., 
b. Aug. 10, 1839. 2. Charles A., b. May 17, 1847. 

Clapp, Stephen, m. Hannah ; their ch. were: 1. Betsey, b. 

Oct. 27, 1798. 2. Rachel, b. Apr. 3, 1801. 

Clapp, Uriah, m. Azubah Wilder ; their ch. were : 1. Asahel, b. Sept. 
15, 1809. 2. Daniel, b. Feb. 12, 1811. 3. Mary, b. Jan. 6, 
1813, d. Jan. 27, 1813. 4. Bellona, b. June 22, 1815. 5. Lovell, 
b. June 17, 1818. 

Clapp, Asahel, s. of Uriah, m. Hannah Harris; their ch. were: 1. 
Waldo E., b. Feb. 9, 1838. 2. Florance F., b. Sept. 9, 1849. 

Clapp, Daniel, s. of Uriah, m. Catherine E. Grout; their ch. 
were: 1. Susan G., b. Oct. 12, 1837, m. Artemas Coolidge. 2. 
Joseph W., b. Dec. 14, 1839, m. Agnes Hobby. 3. Samuel, b. 
June 9, 1841, d. at Alexandria, Va., Dec. 14, 1861. 4. Sarah M., 
b. Nov. 15, 1843, m. Charles Eaton. 5. Daniel E., b. June 26, 
1848. 6. Edward, b. Oct. 7, 1853. His second wife was Mrs. 
Izanaa Wood. 



340 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Clark, Joseph, came to tliis place from Sherborne and located in the 
west part of the town, and was one of the first settlers. He was a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary War seven years. He m. ]Mary Maltmau ; 
they had one child named Joseph, b. Mar. 3, 1787, who m. Sarah 
Sawyer; their ch. were: 1. Leonora, b. July 28, 1812. 2 Sylves- 
ter, b. Jan. 30, 1814. 3. Mary, b. June 4, 1816. 4. Joseph M., 
b. July 10, 1818, Joseph, Sen., died in 1837, aged 80, and Joseph, 
Jr., July 4, 1820, aged 33. 

Clark, Benjamin, brother of Joseph Sen., also came from Sherborne 
and was a farmer in the west part of the town, where his son Dea. 
Samuel H. Clark now lives. He m. Martha Minott ; their ch. were : 

1. Esther M., b. Feb. 8, 1789. 2. Benjamin, b. Dec. 28, 1790. 

3. Polly, b. July 23, 1793. 4. Betsey, b. May 17, 1795, m. Low- 
ell Leland. 5. Sally, b. June 16, 1797. 6. Joanna M., b. Dec. 
23, 1799. 7. Samuel H., b. Mar. 17, 1805. Mr. Clark died in 
1827, aged 65. 

Clark, Samuel H., s. of Benjamin, m. Mary, dau. of Thomas and 
Hannah Bennett; their ch. were: 1. George, b. Aug. 31, 1846, 

2. William R., b. Aug, 31, 1848. 

Clark, Hiram, m. Louisa, dau. of Joseph and Rebecca (Nichols) 
AVright ; their ch, were: 1. Harrison O., b. July 24, 1822. 2. 
Joseph W., b. June 23, 1825. 3. George D., b. May 22, 1827. 

4. Cyrus P., b. Aug. 29, 1828. 5. Eliza M., b. Dec. 4, 1830. 
6. Louisa A., b Jan. 8, 1833. 7. James F., b. Mar. 28, 1835. 
They had Martha, Frederic and Charles after leaving town. 

Clark, Joel C, m. JNIary Ann, dau. of Joel and Bridget (Glazier) 
Cowee ; they had one child named Sumner Lincoln, b. Aug. 30, 
1836. She died Nov. 16, 1843. Mr. Clark married a second time 
and moved to Worcester, where he is now living. 

Clark, George W., m Mary ; they had one child named Mary 

Ann P., b. Oct. 28, 1841. 

Comee, David, one of the first settlers, came from Lexington about 
1774, and located in the east part of the town. He was a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War. He m. Christiana Maltmau ; their ch. 
were: 1. David, b. Mar. 2, 1775. 2, James M., b. Apr. 18, 
1777. 3. Benjamin, b. May 28, 1779, d. Jan. 26, 1785. 4. 
Christiana, b. Oct. 30, 1781. 5. Polly, b. Sept. 4, 1784. 6. Benj., 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^EU. 341 

b. Dec. 13, 1786, d. Apr. 4, 17!)0. 7. John, b. Jan. 24, 178;), d. 
Mar. 25, 1802. His second wife was Hannah Maltman ; their ch. 
were: 1. Hannah, b. Apr. 6, 1790, d. Mar. 10, 1810. 2. Sarah, 
b. Feb. 12, 1793. 3. Patty, b. Oct. 2, 1795, d. Mar. 19, 1808. 
4. Ruhama, b. Feb 20, 1798. 5. Benjamin, b. Sept. 16, 1800. 
6. Joseph, b. Jan. 14, 1803. 7. Martha. 8. George W., b. Aug. 
22, 1809. Mr. Comee died Mar. 14, 1826, aged 82. 

CoMEE, David, s. of David, m. P^sther Baker; their ch. were: 1. 
David, b, June 4, 1801, d. Apr. 17, 1803. 2. Betsey, b. Dec. 9, 
1802, m. Jesse Lovewell. 3. John, b. Dec. 21, 1804. 4. Louisa, 
b. Oct. 4, 1808 ra. Leonard Lovewell. 

Comee, James M., s. of David 1st, m. Sarah Putnam ; their ch. were : 
1. Maria, b. Sept. 2, 1802. 2. Christiana, b. Apr. 1, 1805. 3. 
Sally, b. May 14, 1807. 4. James, M., b. May 31, 1809. 5. 
Mary, b. May 23, 1811. 6. William W., b. Aug. 19, 1813. 7. 
Abigail, b. Apr. 24, 1816. 8. John P., b. Sept. 3, 1818, d. Mar. 
8, 1819. 9. Leauder P., b. Dec. 26, 1819. 10. Eliza, b. Apr. 
28, 1822, d. Mar. 10, 1836. 11. Daniel W., b. Aug. 21, 1825. 
Mr. Comee was the first and only chair manufacturer in town for 
a number of years, though in a small way, to be sure, but from 
that beginning the business has developed to such a degree that, at 
the present time, the annual production in value, will reach the sura 
of neai'ly one and a half million dollars. He died Aug. 27, 1832. 

Comee, Benjamin, s. of David 1st, m. Lovina Mead; their ch. were: 
1. Charlotte E., b. Aug. 31, 1824. 2. Caroline A., b. June 26, 
1826. They moved to New York many years since, where they 
had Martha Ann, James M. and Sarah M. His second wife was 
Mrs. E. A. Seager ; their ch. were : Rosette, William, Esquire 
and Helen. 

Comee, Joseph, s. of David 1st, m. Miriam, dau. of Samuel Stone ; 
they had one child named Christopher Columbus, b. Jan. 28, 1827. 
They afterward moved to New York, where they had Samuel, 
Martha S. and George. 

Comee, George W., s. of David 1st, m. Fanny Vining. His second 
wife was Betsey Howard ; their ch. were : George M., b. May 1, 
1842, Francis, Fanny and Frank. 



342 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

CoMEE, James M., s. of James M., m. Emily Nichols; they had one 
child in this town named James, b. July 2, 1836. He afterwards 
moved to Fitchburg. 

Comee, William W., s. of James M., m. Mai-ia Wiuship ; their ch. 
were: 1. William, b. July 17, 1837. 2. Charles H., b. Aug. 
17, 1840. He afterwards moved to Fitchburg. 

CoNANT, JosiAH, from Westminster, one of the first seftlers, located on 
a place in the east part of the town, now known as the Shute place. 
He m. Annis Derby; their ch. were: 1. Aaron, b. Mar. 15, 
1785. 2. Lucy, b. Feb. 19, 1787, m. Isaac Miller. 3. Nancy, 
b. Fel . 6, 17811, m. Alpheus Symonds. 4. Betsey, b. Apr. 8, 
17!)1. 5. Farwell, b. Apr. 12, 1793. 6. Abigail, b June 11, 
1795. 7. Mary, b. Aug. 30, 1797, m. Asahel Corey. 8. Josiah, 
b, July 30, 1799. 9. Emily, b. Aug. 19, 1801. 10. Susanna, 
b. July 18, 1803. 11. Lyman, b. Aug. 12, 1805, m. Emma 
Wells. 12. Maria, b. June 16, 1807. 13. Lanson, b. May 2, 
1809, d. May 15, 1809. 14. Sylvester T., b. June 20, 1810. Mr. 
Conant died in 1835, aged 77. 

CoNANT, Aaron, s. of Josiah, m. Lucy, dau. of Jonathan and Sarah 
(Case) Bancroft; their ch. were: 1. Catherine, b. 1807. 2. 
Rosvvell B., b. May 15, 1813, d. Dec. 7, 1813. 3. Roswell, b. 
Mar. 24, 1815, d. Apr. 14, 1815. 4. Smyrna B., b. Jan. 18, 
1818. 5. Emily, b. Dec. 13, 1819, d. Jan. 2, 1820. 6. George 
F., b. May 28, 1821. 7. Aaron W.,b. Mar. 15, 1823. 8. Mary 
B., b. June 11, 1825. 9. Sarah C, b. Dec. 1, 1829. 

Conant, Farwell, s. of Josiah, m. Lucy, dau. of Joseph and Rebecca 
(Nichols) Wright ; their ch. were : 1. Rebecca, b. Dec. 11, 1820. 
2. Mary Ann, b. Jan. 13, 1823. 3. Calvin, b. Apr. 3, 1825. 4. 
John R., b. Oct. 25, 1829. 5. Charles, b. Sept. 16, 1833. 6. 
Lucy M., b. May 3, 1837. 

Conant, Josiah, s. of Josiah, m. Harriet Graves ; their ch. were : 1. 
Harriet A., b. Apr. 9, 1825. 2. William, b. Mar. 6, 1827, d. 
Jan. 18, 1829. 3. Walter, b. May 16, 1829. 4. Joseph L., b. 
Oct. 18, 1831, d. Jan. 19, 1833. 5. Francis, b. Oct. 18, 1835. 
6. Ellen M., b. Aug. 18, 1838, d. May 25, 1840. 7. George A., 
b. Dec. 18, 1841, d. 1861. 8. Eliza Jane, b. Sept. 25, 1843. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 343 

CooLiDGE, James, one of the first settlers, came from Sherbm'ne about 
the year 1770, and was a farmer, located in the north part of the 
town (then Winchendon^. While he was a resident of Winchen- 
don, as appears from the records of that town, he was a somewhat 
prominent man, serving on the board of selectmen, parish com- 
mittee, and in 1778, was on the committee of correspondence relat- 
ing to war matters. It seems by the record that he was much 
attached to his old town, for we find that he was opposed to being- 
taken from Winchendon, and petitioned the legislature to set him 
back to that town, but was refused the favor. After a few years 
he became reconciled, and took hold in earnest to assist others in 
building up the town. He m. Sarah Gould ; their ch. were : 
Sarah, Joseph, Betsey and James. Mr. Coolidge died in 1847, 
aged 94. 

Coolidge, Joseph, s. of James, m. Achsah, dau. of Moses Hale ; their 
ch. were: 1. Catherine, b. Apr. 24, 1811. 2. Lucy, b. Nov. 4, 
1814. 3, Joseph H., b. Feb. 28, 1818. 4. Sally, b. May 9, 
1820. 5. Artemas, b. Nov. 2, 1823. 6. Charles M., b. Dec. 6, 
1826. 

Coolidge, James, s. of James, m. Annis Sawin ; their ch. were: 1. 
Warren, b. Aug. 1, 1805. 2. Betsey, b. Feb. 2, 1807, m. Mr. 
Damon. 3. Charles, b. Aug. 23, 1809. 4. Samuel S., b. Aug. 
24, 1813, m. Miss Townsend. 5. Sally, b. Sept. 26, 1815, d. 
Mar. 26, 1816. 6. Martha, b. Aug. 24, 1817. 7. James, b 
Nov. 20, 1819. 8. Abigail, b. Sept. 13, 1824. He died in 1841. 

Coolidge, Joseph H., s. of Joseph, m. Betsey Davis ; their ch. were : 
Henry, Nettie L., George H. and Lucy A. 

Crosby, John, m. Lucetta ; their ch. were: 1. Webster, b. 

June 10, 1839, d. Apr. 18, 1840. 2. Lucia T., b. Sept. 25, 1841. 

CoBURN, Henry F., m. Maria M. ; they had one child named 

Charles Edwin, b. July 7, 1842. 

Currier, Jonathan, from Methnen, he m. Betsey, dau. of Jonas and 
Mary (Bailey) Richardson; their ch. were: 1. Mary, b. Dec. 
14, 1799. 2. Hannah, b. Nov. 21, 1801. 3. Betsey, b. Oct. 14, 
1803. .They moved to Methnen where they had Nathan and 
Almira. 



344 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

CuRKiER, Nathaniel, m. Mary ; their ch. were : 1, Nathaniel, 

b. Apr. 22, 1800. 2. Amos, b. Dee. l8, 1801, d. Feb. 14, 1802. 

Corey, Stephen, m. Anna ; their ch. were: 1. Stephen, b. 

Nov. 27, 1795. 2. Nancy, b. Jan. 3, 171)1). 3. Ehnira, b. Feb. 
27, 1801. He afterwards moved to Ashbiirnliam. 

CowEE, James, from Westminster, m. Susanna, dan. of Josiali and 
Susanna (Green) BaldAvin ; their ch. were: 1. Persis. 2. Joel, 
3. Rebecca. 4. Susanna. 5. Betsey. G. Mehitable. 7. Sally, 
b. Apr. 15, 1794. 8. Lucinda, b. Dec. 14, 1795. 9. Pearson, 
b. Oct. 6, 1797. 10. George W.,b. Sept. 30, 1799. 11. Aaron, b. 
Aug. 4, 1801. 12. James, b. Dec. 28, 1802. 13. William, b. 
Feb. 12, 1805. 14. John, b. June 9, 1807. 15. Eeuel G. The 
six first of Mr. Cowee's children were born in Westminster and 
the last one in Ashby. Mr. Cowee owned the place on which Hez- 
ekiah Corey afterwards lived and who petitioned the legislature to 
have it set back to Ashburnham, which was done in 1814. 

Cowee, Joel, s. of James, m. Bridget, dau. of Smyrna and Bridget 
(Foster) Glazier; their ch. were: 1. Mary Ann, b. Mar. 18. 
1813. 2. Adeline, b. Dec. 18, 1815. 3. Lewis L., b. Apr. 30, 
1820, d. Aug. IG, 1824 4. Jonathan O., b. Sept. 10, 1822, d. 
Aug. 28, 1824. 5. Joel, b. Nov. 20, 1825. 6. Porter, b. Mar. 
29, 1828. 7. Webster, b. June 23, 1832. 

Cowee, George W., s. of James, m. Leonora, dau. of Jonathan and 
Sybil (Holbrook) Greenwood; their ch. Avere : 1. Sybil C, b. 
Nov. 3, 1824. 2. George L., b. June 7, 1827. 3. Alvin G., b. 
Apr. 28, 1829. 4. Aaron, b. Aug. 17, 1831. 5. Mary M , b. 
Aug. 4, 1833. 6. Adaline, b. Nov. 4, 1835. Mrs. Cowee died 
May 14. 1838, His second wife was Sarah Wilcox; their ch, 
were : 1 and 2. Frank and Fred, (twins) b. Feb. 4, 1852, Frank 
d. 3. Frank, b, Feb. 3, 1853. 4. Harriet, b. Jan. 11, 1855. 
5. Ellen E. 

Cowee, Reuel G., s, of James, m. Lucy Ann Severy ; their ch. were : 
1. Aaron, b. June 10, 1835. 2. Mary, t). Nov. 18, 1839. 

Coleman, Lafayette, m. Eunice Kendall ; their ch. were : 1. Orison, 
b. Feb. 25, 1834. 2, Melvin, b, Apr. 17, 1839. Mr. Coleman 
had other cliildren previous to moving into this town. 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^ER. 345 

Cutler, Curtis, m. Clarissa ; their ch. were: 1. Sarah 

M., b. Aug. 23, 1836, d. Aug. 30, 183G. 2. Sarah M., b. April 
14, 1838. 

Derby, Joel, m. Susanna ; their ch. were: 1. Joel, b. Mar. 

14, 1805. 2. Loenza, b. July 9, 1809. 

Davis, Gkorge W., m. Anna Perley ; their ch. were: 1. Walter, b. 
Nov. 18, 1813. 2. George, b. Nov. 17, 181.5. 3. Alonzo, b. 
Nov. 15, 1817. 4. Betsey, b. Oct. 18, 1821. Mrs. Davis died 
Dec, 10, 1821. His second wife was Betsey Conant ; their ch. 
were: 1. Lyman, b. Nov. 23, 1824. 2. Leander, b. June 29, 
1826. 3. Anna, b. Sept. 25, 1827. 4. Maria, b. Mar. 30, 1829. 
5. Lucy Ann, b. June 5, 1830. 6. Silas, b. Jan. 1, 1832, d. 
Apr. 19, 1842. 7. Charles, b. July 13, 1834. 

Davis, Winslow, m. Lydia Learned ; their ch. were : 1. Mary L., b. 
May 21, 1824. 2. Martha L., b. June 29, 1827. 3. Silas, b. 
Sept. 10, 1829. 4. Porter, b. Jan. 2, 1832. 5. Charles, b. Sept. 
27, 1834. 6. Sarah, b. Mar. 27, 1837. 

Dalrymple, Wm. H., m. Elizabeth ; they had one child in this 

town named Mary Elizabeth, b. Jan. 24, 1842. 

Dyer, John, m. ; their ch. were: 1. Ezra. b. Nov. 

4, 1828. 2. Lucy Ann, b. Dec. 12, 1830. 3. John A., b. Oct. 

5. 1832. 4. Ai O., b. Oct. 27, 1834. 5. Thomas L., b. Jan. 
27, 1837. 6. Ellen S., b. Nov. 12, 1840. 

DuNSTER, Hubbard, from Westminster, m. Rebecca, dau. of Benjamin 
and Keziah (Twichell) Kendall; their ch. were: 1. Martin, b. 
Jan. 3, 1798. 2. Pruda, b. Jan. 23, 1800, m. Isaac Fitts. 3. 
Rebecca, b. Feb. 11, 1802, m. Oilman Robbins. 4. Louisa, b. 
Feb. 18, 1805. 5. Asaph, b. July 6, 1807. 6. Mary Jane, b. 
Nov. 12, 1809, m. Stephen Tyler. 7. Lydia, b. Jan. 24, 1816. 
8. Daphena, b. July 18, 1818. 

Eaton, Jonathan, one of the first settlers, came from Needham, and 
was a farmer in the west part of the town. He married Beulah 
Ward; their ch. were: 1. Beulah, b. Dec. 29, 1791, d. Dec, 14, 
1801. 2. Jonathan, b. Sept. 13, 1794, d. Apr. 15, 1795. 3. 
Joseph, b, Jan, 7, 1796, d. Jan. 25, 1796, 4. Benjamin, b. Jan. 
7, 1796, d. Jan 28, 1796. 5. Jonathan, b. June 3, 1798. 6. 
Rebecca, b, Oct. 1, 1801. Mr. Eaton died in August, 1819. 

44 



346 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Eaton, John, came from Needham. He was one of the early settlers 
and located in the north part of the town. He was a soldier at the 
taking of Burgoyne's army. He m. Mary Larkin ; their ch. were ; 
1. Lucy, b. May 31, 1783, m. Mr. Boyden. 2. Josiah, b. Jan. 
13, 1787. 3. Mary, b. Jan. 1, 1790, m. Isaac Williams. 4. 
John, b. Aug. 3, 1792. 5. Nancy, b. July 6, 1795. 6. Peter, 
b. Dec. 27, 1799. Mr. Eaton died Nov. 24, 1827, aged 81. His 
wife died Sept. 22, 1817. 

Eaton, Ebenezek, (brother of the two preceding) was also from Need- 
ham and an early settler. He located in the south part of the town. 
He m. Joanna Hutchinson ; their ch. were : 1. Betsey H., b. May 
26, 1786, d. April 4, 1795. 2. George, b. Feb. 14, 1788. 3. 
Clarissa, b. July 6, 1790, d. Apr. 5, 1795. His second wife was 
Mrs. Richardson ; their ch. were : Betsey, George and Clarissa. 

Eaton, Josiah, s. of John, m. Mary Weston; their ch. were: 1, 
Merrick, b. Oct. 2, 1811. 2. Mary Ann, b. Dec. 4, 1812. 3. 
Josiah, b. May 5, 1814. Afterwards they moved to Ashburnham 
where they had Otis, Danford, George, Nancy and Charles, 

Eaton, John, s. of John, m. Betsey Esty ; their ch. Avere : 1. George, 
b. Jan. 21, 1822. 2. Warren, b. Feb. 15, 1823, d. Oct. 8, 1838. 

3. Franklin, b. Jan. 13, 1825. 4. Eliza, b. May 31, 1826. 5. 
John, b. Nov. 13, 1827. 6. Amasa, b. Apr. 9, 1829. 7. Mary, 
b. Oct. 8, 1830. 8. Maria, b. Feb. 8, 1833. 9. Oliver, b. Aug. 
19, 1834. 

Eaton, Peter, s. of John 1st, m. Catherine Coolidge ; their ch. were : 

1. Mary Ann, (bora in Winchendon) m. Henry C. KnoAvlton. 

2. Charles, b. Aug. 15, 1839, m. Sarah Clapp. 

Eaton, John, 2d, m. Emma, dau. of John and Sarah (Shattuck) 
Kemp; their ch. were: 1. Thomas S., b. Aug. 29, 1823. 2. 
Franklin, b. Jan. 13, 1825. 3. Eliza, b. May 31, 1826. They 
afterwards moved to Westminster, where they had Milley, Sarah, 
Nathaniel, James, Wendall, Simeon, Jefferson, Francis and Chas. 

Edgell, Samuel, from Westminster, one of the first settlers, located 
in the east part of the town. He m. Sarah, dau. of Seth and 
Mary (Temple) Hey wood ; their ch. were: 1. Betsey, b. Mar. 
7, 1786. 2. Sarah, b. Aug. 5, 1791. 3. Polly, b. July 5, 1793. 

4. William, b. June 20, 1795. 5. Mary. 6. Lucinda. 7. Samuel. 



HISTORY OF GAlWNEIi. 347 

Edgell. Joseph, from Westminster, m. Dorcas ; their ch. 

were: 1. Charles, b. Dec. 14, 1791. 2. Nancy, b. May 8, 1793. 
3. Joseph, b. Feb. 6, 1795, d. June 21, 1795. 4. Rebecca, b. Feb. 
21, 1797. 5. Joseph, b. Aug. 21, 1801. C. Kendall F.,b. Oct. 

30, 1804. He moved back to Westminster in 1805, where they 
had their seventh child, whose name was Mary. 

Edgell, Benjamin, (brother of the two preceding) was one of the 
first settlers, and located in the south part of the town. He m. 
Priscilla Graves; their ch. were: 1. Susanna, b. May 26, 1794. 

2. Benjamin, b. Oct. 16, 1795, m. Mary Ann Dollonson. 3, 
Catherine, b. Sept. 3. 179/. 4. Priscilla, b. Sept. 18, 1799, m. 
Newell Brown. 5. Mary, b. April 1, 1802, m. Luther Alden. 
6. Farwell, b. Feb. 28, 1805. 7. Louisa, b. Apr., 1807. 8. 
Lucy, b. June 16, 1808. 9. Abigail, b. Nov. 16, 1810, m. Ed- 
ward Turner. 10. Martha, m. Jonas Pierce. 

Edgell, John, m. Elvira, dau. of David and Rachel (Howard) Nich- 
ols ; their ch. were : 1. Elvira E., b. July 19, 1831, d. Nov. 19, 
1839. 2. P:mily, b. Aug. 8, 1834, m. Christopher C. Temple. 3. 
John D., b. Sept. 16, 1836. m. Sarah Greenwood. 4. Charles H., 
b. Aug. 27, 1840, d. Sept. 3, 1840. 5. Charles N., b. Jan. 29, 
1843, m. Helen Bryant. 6. Theodore F., b. June 15, 1845, d. 
July 1845. 7. Walter E., b. Sept. 9, 1850, d. Mar. 8, 1861. 

Edgell, Fakwell, s. of Benjamin, m. Mary Ann Sawin ; their ch. 
were : 1. Emily, b. May 27, 1837, d. May 27, 1840. 2. Elvira 
C, b. Nov. 29, 1840. 3. Emily J., b. Sept. 25, 1842, d. Nov. 3, 
1843. His second wife was Mary Ann Minott. She had one child 
whose name was George B., b. Oct. 21, 1845. 

Fairbank, Levi, from Harvard, was one of the first settlers and located 
in the east part of the town. He m. Eunice Randall ; their ch. 
were: 1. Levi, b. July 2, 1781. 2. Jabez, b. May 19, 1784. 

3. Ephraim, b. April 29, 1786. 4. Joseph, b. June 4, 1788. 5. 
Eunice, b. June 16, 1792, m. Stephen Weston. 6. Lydia, b. Mar. 

31, 1796, m. Arba Brooks. 7. Stephen, b. Jan. 29, 1800, d. 
May 11, 1800. 8. Luke, b. Feb. 12, 1803. Mr. Fairbank died 
in 1845, aged 90. His wife died in 1851, aged 92. 

Fairbank, Levi, s. of Levi, m. Miss Anderson; their ch. were: 1. 
Phebe, b. Dec. 1, 1809, m. Mr. Wilker. 2. Walter, b. Jan. 2, 



348 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1811. 3. Mary A., b. Oct. 9, 1812, d. Apr. 14, 1837. 4. 
Stephen, b. Nov. 1, 1814. 

Fairbank, Jabez, s. of Levi 1st, m. Abigail Seaver ; their ch. were: 
1. Abigail, b. Dec. 31, 1812, m. Simeon Howe. 2. Louisa, b. 
May 7, 1816, in. Aaron Seaver. His second wife was Nancy 
Temple. She had one child named Sardis, b. Nov. 3, 1820. 

Faikbank, Joseph, s. of Levi 1st, m. Ruth Jaquith ; their ch. were : 

1. Harriet N., b. July 13, 1817. 2. Ruth J., b. Oct. 12, 1819. 

3. Joseph, b. June 17, 1823. 4. Alonzo, b. June 22, 1828. 
Fairbank, Walter, s. of Levi 2d, m. Lucy Wallace ; their ch. were : 

1. George W., b. July 20, 1841, d. Sept. 6. 1841. 2. Mary A., 

b. Aug. 10, 1849, m. L. L. Atherton. 

Fairbank, Noah, from Harvard, m. Hannah Whitcomb, their ch. were : 
1. Emory, m. Eunice Heywocd. 2. Noah, d. Dec. 14, 1825. 3. 
Sewell, b. Mar. 3, 1804, m. Susan Hey wood. 4. Asaph, b Jan. 
7, 1806, m. Hannah Whitcomb. 5. Sophrona, b. Feb. 12, 1808, 
m. Lewis H. Graham. 6. Hannah, b. Apr. 9, 1810, d. Oct. 29, 
1828. 7. Lucy, b. Apr. 24, 1812, m. Joseph Baker. 8. Joel, b. 
July 14, 1814, m. Esther Lelaud. Mr. Fairbanks died in 1852, 
aged 80. 

Fisher, Gideon, was one of the first settlers and located in the north 
part of the town. He was a great help to the place in clearing it 
from wild animals, for he was a "■ mighty hunter." He m. Mrs. 
Rebecca Hutchins ; they had one child whose name was William. 
Mr. Fisher sold after a few years and left town. 

Fenno, William, from Boston, m. Rachael Ray • they had one child 
whose name was Mary, who m. Abel Wood. His second wife was 
Lydia Ray; their ch. were: 1. William, m. Mary Corey. 2. 
Asa, m. Gratia Wheeler. 3. Joel, m, Sarah Corey, 4. Elmira, 
m, Joseph Carter. 5. Lucinda, m. Washington Nichols. 6. Ly- 
man, m. Mary Miller, wdiose ch. were: Jane M., Ellen I., Geo. 
H. and Hattie I. Mr. Fenno died in 1S22. 

Foster, Sajviuel, fi-om Reading, one of the first settlers, and located in 
the w^est part of the town. He m. Elizabeth Boydea ; their ch. 
were: 1. Jesse, b. Sept. 16, 1781. 2. Asenath, b. Jan. 15, 1783. 
3. Samuel, m. Mary Payson. 4. Jonah, b. Sept 12, 1786. 5. 
Rufus, b. Oct. 6. 1789. 6. Dolly, m. Mr. French. 7. Peter.. 8. 
Elizabeth. 



HISTORY OF GARDINER. ' 349 

Foster, David, brother of Samuel, was also from Reading and an early- 
settler of the town. He located on the north side of Crystal 
Lake on what is now known as the Stevens' place. He was in the 
Revolutionary War nine months, and was one of the last men who 
fled from the enemy at the battle of Banker Hill, and assisted in 
carrying Gen. Joseph Warren from the battle field on that day. 
He m. Betsey Minott ; their ch. were : 1. Betsey, b. Mar. 2, 1781, 
d. Dec, 1783. 2. Susanna, b. Jan. 11, 1783. 3. David, b. Feb. 
17, 1787, d. Apr. 2, 1787. 4. David, b. Feb. 26, 1789. 5. 
Betsey, b. Nov. 17, 1791. Mr. Foster died in 1815, aged 70. 

Foster, Samuel, s. of Samuel, m. Mary Payson ; they had one child 
named Joseph Payson, b. Sept. 22, 1800. His second wife was 
Mary Pearsons. 

Foster, Elijah W., m. Tryphena ; their ch. were : 1. Abigail, 

b. June 17, 1835, d. Dec. 12, 1840. 2. Alvara, b. Feb. 15, 1838. 
3. Addison, b. Feb. 22, 1840. 4. Willard, b. Oct. 1, 1842. 5. 
Henry, b. Aug. 7, 1845. 6. Mary L., b. Apr. 15, 1848. 

Ford, Oryille, m. Sally Jackson, dau. of Sullivan and Sally (Ban- 
croft) Jackson; their ch. were: 1. Sarah M., b. Apr. 14, 1839, 
d. Sept. 19, 1839. 2. John S., b. Oct. 10, 1840. 

Gates, Simon, from Westminster, owned a good farm on what is com- 
monly called Beech Hill, where his grandson, Horace Gates, now 
lives. He m. Susan Reed; their ch. were: 1. Nathan, m. Abi- 
gail Knowlton. 2. Simon, ra. Sarah Taylor. 3. Daniel, m. 

Phebe Mosmau. 4. Reuben, b. Apr. 21, 1786, m. Mos- 

man. 5. Ezekiel, b. Oct. 31, 1789, d. Aug. 2, 1809. 6. Eliza- 
beth, d. Jan. 21, 1791. 7. Elizabeth. 

Gates, Nathan, s. of Simon, m. Abigail Knowlton ; their ch. were : 
1. Nathan, b. Apr. 13, 1791. 2. Jeremiah, b. Mar. 21, 1792. 
3. Abel, b. July 10, 1793. 4. Asaph, b. Dec. 7, 1794. 5. Luke, 
b. Feb. 14, 1796, d. May 21, 1796. 6. Abigail, b. Feb. 24, 1797. 
7. Luther, b. Apr. 6, 1798. 8. Amos, b. Nov. 6, 1799. 9. Su- 
sanna, b. Feb. 17, 1801. 10. A girl,b. Feb. 8, 1803, d. Feb. 12, 
1803. 11. Lucinda, b. Mar. 9, 1805. 12. Clarissa, b. May 25, 
1806. 13. Jeremiah K., b. Sept. 28, 1808. 14. James E., b. 
June 11, 1810. 15. Benjamin A., b. Feb. 26, 1813. 



350 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Gates, Daniel, s. of Simon, m. Phebe Mosman ; their ch. were: 1. 

Daniel M. b. Apr. 22, 1806. 2. Soplirona, b. Apr. 18, 1808. 3. 

Leonard M., b. July 28, 1810. 4. Lucy, b. Feb. 8, 1813. 5. 

Phebe, b. Aug. 26, 1815. 6. Charlotte, b. Aug. 11, 1818. 7. 
Solomon K., b. May 16, 1821. 

Gates, Reuben, s. of Simon, m. Mosman ; their ch. were : 1. 

Samantha K , b. July 23, 1806, d. Nov. 23, 1820. 2. Anna M., 
b. Oct. 16, 1807. 3. Ezekiel, b. Sept. 21, 1800. 4. Darwin. 

5. Bial. 6. Pliny. 

Gates, Simon, s. of Simon, m. Sarah Taylor; their ch. were: 1. 

Louisa, b. May, 9, 1806. 2. Simon H., b. Nov. 4, 1807, m. 

Elvira Bancroft. 3. Horace, b. Oct. 27, 1809. 4. Dennis, b. 

. Feb. 20, 1812. 5. Mary, b. Sept. 14, 1815, m. Samuel Hale. 6. 

Dolly, b, June 28, 1818, m. Amos P. Spaulding. 

Gates, Amos, s. of Nathan, m. Betsey Kemp; their ch. were: 1. 
Walter, b. Feb. 17, 1824. 2. George, b. June 8, 1826. 3. Mary, 
b. Nov. 19, 1828, d. July 3, 1833. 4. Maria, b. Nov. 3, 1831, 
d. July 3, 1833. 5. Webster, b. Dec. 18, 1834, m. Mary Jaquith. 

6. Adeline, b. Oct. 13, 1840, m. Walter Perley. 

Gates, Benjamin A., s. of Nathan, m Nancy Kemp; their ch. were: 

1. Viola, b. Nov. 3, 1833. 2, Francis, b. Dec. 28, 1834. 3. 
Lucy, b. Sept. 26, 1836. 4. Mary, b. Oct. 30, 1837. 5. Isaac, 
b. Apr. 24, 1839. 6. Newell, b. Aug. 14, 1840 7. Hiram, b. 
June 3, 1842. 8. Edwin, 

Gates, Ezekiel, s. of Reuben, m. Abigail ; their ch. were: 1. 

Calvin, b Feb. 25, 183S. 2. Samantha, b. July 25, 1839. 3. 
Sawyer, b. Sept. 4, 1841. 

Gage, Moses, m. Nancy Beard; their ch. were: 1. Moses M. 2. 
Louisa. 3. Sophia, b. Sept. 10, 1811. 4. Orrison, b. Sept. 3, 
1814. 5. Maria, b. Apr. 3, 1816. 6. Betsey, b. Oct. 15, 1818. 

7. Daniel J., b. May 9, 1823. Moses M. and Louisa were born 
in Hubbardston. 

Gage. Orrison, m. Elvira ; they had one child named Nelson 

M., b. Jan. 22, 1839. 

Gay, Ira, m. Mary ; their ch. were: 1. Jane, b. Jan. 1, 1833. 

2. Elizabeth, b. July 14, 1834. 3. Lyman, b. Sept. 23, 1835. 4. 
Lucy, b. June 16, 1838. 5. Martha, b. May 11, 1840. 6. Ada- 
line, b. Oct. 11, 1841. 



HISTORY OF GABDNER, 351 

Glazier, John, one of the first settlers, came from Shrewsbury in 1773, 
and located in what is now the Centre. He built the house now 
owned and occupied by William Austin, and kept a public house 
for several years. He m. Sarah, dau. of Isaac and Mary Temple 
of Shrewsbury; their ch. were. 1. Smyrna, b. Mar. 5, 1767. 2. 
Lewis, b. June 16, 1771. 3. Ruth, b. July 4, 1776. 4. Eliza- 
beth, b. Oct. 30, 1780. 5. Sarah, b. Apr. 30, 1785, d. Oct. 7, 
1786. This was the first death in town after its organization. Mr. 
Glazier died in December, 1826, aged 86 years and 6 months. Mrs. 
Glazier died in Feb., 1835, aged 86 years and 7 months. 

Glazier, Smyrna, s. of John, m. Bridget Foster of Reading; their ch. 
were: 1. Bridget, b. May 15, 1790, m. Joel Cowee 2. Abram 
F., b. May 8, 1796. He died in 1861, aged 94. He was one of the 
leading men in town for nearly half a century. 

Glazier, Lewis, s. of John, m. Betsey, dau. of James and Sarah 
(Gould) Coolidge ; their ch. were: 1. John C, b. Sept. 7, 1798. 
2. Sarah T., b. Sept. 2, 1801, m. Pearson Cowee. His second 
wife was Lucy, dau. of Thomas and Mary (Temple) Keyes ; their 
ch. were: 1. Betsey C, b. Nov. 17, 1805, m. Harvey Bancroft. 

2. Thomas E., b. Mar. 5, 1807. 3. Mary Ann, b. May 1, 1812, 
d. Jan. 8, 1813. 4 and 5. Smyrna S. and Lewis L., (twins) b. 
Dec. 2, 1814, d. Dec. 19, 1814. 6. Lucy Ann, b. Oct. 18, 1816, 
d. Feb. 15, 1838. 7. Mary K., b. June 3, 1818, d. Jan. 14, 
1871. He was a deacon in the Congregational Church from 1815 
to 1839. He died Dec. 15, 1857, aged 86 years and 6 months. 
His second wife died in 1873, aged 94 years, 5 months and 24 days. 

Glazier, Abram E\, s. of Smyrna, m. Lucinda Cowee ; their ch. were : 
1. Smyrna, b Jan. 8, 1818, 2. George A., b. -June 14, 1820. 

3. Lewis L , b. Apr. 20, 1822. 4. Susan, b. in 1825, d. in 1846. 

5. Orange, b. 1828, d 1852. 6. Mary J., m. Johnson. 

7. Curtis C. 

Glazier, John C, s. of Lewis, m. Sophia Bancroft ; their ch. were : 
1. Jonathan B., b. Nov. 9, 1823, d. Dec. 16, 1823. 2. Betsey, 
m. Edward S. Flint. 3. Harvey, d. 4. Lucy Ann, m. Alva S. 
Howe. 5. Lewis. He moved to Ashburnham in 1824, where he 
died in 1860. 

Glazier, Thomas E., s. of Lewis, m. Lucy BroAvn ; their ch. were: 
1. Thomas K., b. May 10, 1832, d. Aug. 15, 1832. 2. William 



352 HISTOEY OF GAEDNEE. 

■\V., b. Juue 7, 1(S34, m. Anua Pierce. 3. Mary Ann, b. April 
19, 183ti, d. July 2, 1847. 4. Charles E., b. June 6, 1839, m. 
Lucy M. Scollay. 5. Francis B., b. May 3, 1843, d. Oct. 30, 
1865. 6. Lucy E., b. July 23, 184G, m. Charles H. Green. 

GooDALE, Peter, one of the first settlers, came from Boylston, (now 
West Boylston) in 1773, and bought the farm now owned by Charles 
Heywood, one-fourth of a mile north of the Centre of the town. 
He m. Abigail, dau. of Benjamin Hinds; their ch. were: 1. 
Elizabeth, b. Dec. 23, 1775. 2. Benjamin, b. Sept. 5, 1778. 3. 
Jason, b. Sept. 7, 1780. 4. Peter, b. May 4, 1783. 5. Asaph, 
b. May 13, 1787. 6. Juuia, b. Apr. 17, 1789. He moved back 
to Boylston in 1791. 

GooDsPEED, Daniel J., m. Mary Baker; their ch. were : 1. Thomas 
B., b. Sept. 23, 1840. 2. Warner W., b. Oct. 3, 1845. 3. James 
F., b Aug. 24, 1848. 4. Mary A., b. Aug. 23, 1854. 

Gkeen, Nathan, from Lancaster, one of the first settlers, lived in 
the north part of the town. He m. Margaret, dau. of John De 
Jersey, from the Island of Journsey ; they had no children. He 
died in 1822, aged 71. 

Green, Nathan 2d., nephew and adopted son of Nathan, m. Fanny 
Bicknell. They had one son whose name was Charles, b. Oct. 9, 
1808. Mr. Green died Oct 2, 1840. 

Green, Charles, s of Nathan 2d, m. Mary Learned ; their ch. were : 
1. Fanny, b. Dec. 19, 1831, m. Charles Heywood. 2. Mary, b. 
July 30, 1836. 3. Nathan, b. Mar. 28, 1838, m. Carrie Barney. 
4. Charles H., b, Jan. 11, 1842, m. Lucy E. Glazier. 5. Emma 
A., b. Jan. 16, 1851, m. Charles H. Vanduzer. 

Green, Israel, the fourth inhabitant of the town, lived one and a half 
miles north from its centre. He had four sons who were " mighty 
hunters," and were noted for killing bears. They all enlisted in the 
Revolutionary War ; only one of them ever returned. He had one 
dau. who m. Josiah Baldwin. Mr. Green removed to Westminster 
before his death 

Greenwood, Aaron, from Sherburne, one of the first settlers, located 
in the southwest part of the town, where his grandson, Edward 
Greenwood now lives. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary AVar 



HISTORY OF GABDNER. 353 

three years. He m. Anua Learned; their ch. were: 1. Charles, 
b. July 5, 1789. 2. Anna, b. June 7, 1791, m. Allen Perley. Mr. 
Greenwood died in 1824, aged 68. 

Greenwood, Charles, s. of Aaron, m. Betsey, dau. of Ahio and Bet- 
sey (Heywood) Temple; their childi'en were: 1. Aaron L., b. 
May o, 181S. 2. Francis F., b. Oct. U, 1820, d. Jan. 2, 1840. 
3. Betsey, b. Dec. 29, 1823, m. James Raymond. 4. Edward, b. 
May 20, 1826. 5. AsaT., b. July 29, 1828, m. Sarah Ray. 

Greenwood, Jonathan, from Sherburne, was a farmer and kept a pub- 
lic house in the south part of the town, where his grandson, Thomas 
Greenwood, now lives. He m. Sybil Holbrook ; their ch. were: 
1. Alvin, ra. Mary Childs. 2. Sybil, d. 3. Jonathan, m. Phebe 
Temple. 4. Walter, m. Rebecca Wright. 5. Sybil, m. William 
Whitney. 6. Leonora, m. George Cowee. Mr. Greenwood died 
in 1821, aged 66. 

Greenwood, Alvin, s. of Jonathan, m. Mary Childs ; their ch. were : 

1. Sophia, b. Feb. 28, 1805, d. Jan. 9, 1806. 2. Sophia, b. Aug. 
31, 1807, m. George Whitney. 3. Maria, b. June 7, 1808, d. 
May 10, 1830. 4. Calvin S., b. May 18, 1810. 5. Alvin M., 
b. Oct. 22, 1812, d. Mar. 4, 1840. 6. James H., b. July 26, 
1814. 7. Charles, b. June 14, 1816. 8. William, b. June 4, 
1818. 9. Mary b. Mar. 13, 1821, m. Frederick Parker. Mr. 
Greenwood died in 1821. 

Greenwood, Walter, s. of Jonathan, m. Rebecca Wright ; their ch. 
Avere: 1. Aaron, b. May 29, 1813. 2. Emily, b. May 19, 1818, 
m. William Hogan. 3. Martha, b. Mar. 18, 1821, m. Simeon W. 
A. Stevens. 4. Rebecca, b. May 13, 1823. 5. Edward W. b. 
Mar. 14, 1828. 6. George, b. May 5, 1830. 7. Judson, b. June 

2, 1832. 8. Thomas, b. Apr. 24, 1834, m. Miss Nichols. 

Greenwood, Calvin S., s. of Alvin, m. Ruth Howe ; their ch. were : 
1. Marcus, b. Apr. 24, 1833. 2. Maria E., b. Aug. 31, 1835, m. 
Rev. John F. Ashley. 3. Harriet S., b. Apr. 30, 1838. 4. Sarah 
A., b. Mar. 14, 1840, m, John D. Edgell. 5. Charles H., b. Apr. 
13, 1845. 6. Frederic M., b. Aug. 9, 1847. 

Greenwood, James H., s. of Alvin, ra. Adeline Cowee ; their ch. were: 
1. Alvin M., b. Dec. 5, 1832, m. Helen Heywood. 2. Otis, b. 
Nov. 19, 1836. 

45 



354 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Greenwood, Cpiarles H., s. of Alvin, m. Elizabeth Jackson ; their 
ch. were: 1, Gilbert H., b. Nov. 25, 1838. 2. Marston D., b. 
Aug. 13, 1841. Mr. Greenwood died Jan. 16, 1844. 

Greenwood, Alvin M., s. of Alvin, m. Sally Gay ; they had one son, 
b. June 15, 1838, named Theodore, d. June 15, 1<S42. Mr. Green- 
Avood died March 3, 1840. 

Greenwood, William, s. of Alvin, m. Harriet Jackson ; they had one 
child named Alcy Beaty, b. Oct. 5, 1841. They moved to New 
York where they had several other children. 

Greenwood, Aaron, s. of Walter, m. Rebecca Prentiss of Hubbardston ; 
they had one child named Charlotte A , b. May 22, 1842, m. Geo. 
H. Rice. 

Grimes, Henry, m. Susan ; they had Harrison, b. Aug. 13, 

1840. 

Hadley, Joseph, one of the early settlers, was a farmer in the north 

part of the town. He m. Naomi ; their ch. were: 1. 

Mehitable, b. Mar. 31, 1784. 2. Stephen, b. Nov. 14, 1785. 3. 
Nathan, b. Feb. 19, 1788. 

Haynes, Reuben, came from Sudbury about the year 1776, and was a 
farmer in the north part of the town. ' He was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War three years ; was a capital penman and from 
1797 he was town clerk twenty consecutive years. He m. Susan- 
na Willis; their ch. were: 1. Susanna, b. Nov. 16, 1778. 2. 
Ezra W., b. Dec. 22, 1780. 3. Sarah, b. July 25, 1783, m. Jon- 
athan Temple. 4. Israel, b. Jan. 6, 1786, d. Jan. 28, 1786. 5. 
Eunice, b. Apr. 6, 1787. 6. Reuben, b. Nov. 17, 1789, d. Aug. 
25, 1790. 7. Ruth, b. Apr. 1, 1792. S. Rebecca, b. July 20, 
1794. 9. Jerusha, b. May 29, 1798. 10. Aseuath, b. Jan 2, 
1802. Capt. Haynes died in 1841, aged 86 

Hayncs, Ezra W,, s. of Reuben, m. Martha, dau. of Samuel and Mar- 
tha (Wilder) Stone ; their ch. were : 1. Reuben, b. Mar. 3, 1813, 
m. Charlotte Gates. 2. Mary, b. Feb. 23, 1815. 3. Martha W., 
b. May 12, 1817. Mr. Haynes died Jan. 2, 1817. 

Hayward, Barzill.a, m. Hannah ; their ch. Avere : 1. Wight- 
man, b. Feb. 22, 1821. 2. Eliza Jane, b. Sept. 21, 1823. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 355 

Heywood, Seth, (son of Phineas and grandson of Dea. John Iley- 
wood) came from Sterling to Gardner about 1773, was one of the 
first settlers, located in the Centre. He built a house where the 
Town Hall now stands. He was a lieutenant in the Hevolutionary 
AVar nine months. He m. Martha, dau. of Isaac and Mary 
Temple of Shrewsbury; their ch. were: 1. Betsey, b. Nov. 27, 
1762. 2. John, b. Dec. 8, 1764, m. Mary Hutchins. 3. Sarah, 
b. Mar. 24, 17G6. 4. Anna, b. Jan. 28, 1770. 5. Mary, b. Oct. 
24, 1771. 6. Benjamin, b. July 10, 1773. 7. Martha, b. Sept. 

2. 1775. 8, Seth, b. Aug. !), 1777, d. Sept. 24, 1802. 9. Lucy, 
b. July 17, 1771), m. Gardner Pollard of Lancaster. 10. Levi, b. 
June 25, 1783, m. Nancy Healy. Mr. Heywood died in 1826, 
aged 8!). 

Heywood, Benjamin, s. of Seth, m. Mary Whitney; their ch. were: 
1. Levi, b. Dec. 10, 1800. 2. Benjamin F., b. Jan. 10, 1802. 

3. Walter, b. Feb. 13, 1804. 4. William, b. Nov. 9, 1808. 5. 
Seth, b. Nov. 12, 1812. 6. Charles, b. Mar. 10, 1818, d. Sept. 
10, 1824. Mr. Heywood died in 1849, aged 75 years and 6 months. 

Heyvtood, Levi, s. of Benjamin, m. Martha Wright ; their ch. were : 
1. Calvin, b. Sept. 11, 1826. 2. Mary W., b. Aug. 27, 1827, 
m. Samuel M. Washburn. 3. Cliarles, b. Nov. 12, 1831, m. 
Faimie Green. 4. Solon, b. Nov. 10, 1834. 5. Helen, b. Mar. 
7, 1837, m. Alvin M. Greenwood. 

Heywood, Benjamin F., s. of Benjamin, m. Sarah Comee ; their ch. 
were: 1. Charles. 2. Sarah Jane, b. Oct. 21, 1730, m. Sylves- 
ter Bowker. 3. Lucy A., b. Feb. 17, 1832, m. Dr. Harriraan, 

4. Melissa M., b. June 6, 1834, m. Amos Morrill. 5. Abby C, 
b Oct, 2, 1837, d. July 12, 1842. 6. Eliza M , b. Aug. 27, 1840, 
m. Henry E. Thurstin. 7. Mary F., b. April 3, 1843. Mr. Hey- 
wood died Apr. 2, 1843 

Heywood, Walter, s. of Benjamin, m. Nancy Foster ; their ch. were: 
1. Kosette, b. Dec. 13, 1834. 2. Ellen, b. Jan 31, 1841. Mr. Hey- 
wood moved to Fitchburg some years ago, where he still resides, 
and is a very prominent business man. 

Heywood, Seth, s. of Benjamin, m. Emily Wright ; their ch. were : 
1. Henry, b. June 25, 1836, m. Martha Temple. 2. George, b. 
Jan. 3, 1839. 3. Frances, b. Mar. 12, 1847. 4. Mary, b. Apr. 
3, 1852, d. Apr. 5, 1852. 5. Mary E., b. Dec. 26, 1853, m. 
Howard L. Ballard. 



356 HISTOBY OF GABD^^Fn. 

Heywooo, Caklisi.k, m. Koeiia (Bioktoul) Wliitnoy ; thoir oh. wore : 
1. AViUiam O., b. Nov. 2, 1835. 2. Joisoph F., b Oot. ID, 1837. 

8. Goorgo C. b. Jau, 3, 1840. 4. Thoodoro A., b. Juno 2S. 1842. 

Hill. Mahvkick, tVom 3Ioil\vay, was a fanner in the north part of the 
town, and was one of the lirst settlers. He m. Abigail "Moulton ; 
their ch. were: 1. Moses. 2. Jesse. 3. Bezaleel. 4. Nathaniel. 

5. Mary. 6. Mercy. 7. Sylveuus. Mrs. Hill died in 1817, aged 
!13 years and months. Spinning linen was her oniploynient the 
last years of her life. She spun the warp for a wob of tliivtv vards 
after she was ninety-three years old. 

Hill. Moses, s. of ^larvriok, ni. Lnoy Adams; thoir ch. were: 1. 
Elizabeth C, b. Mar. 23, 1778. 2. Jamos M., b. Nov. 4. 1780. 
3. Thomas A . b. July 3, 1783. 4. Lucy, b June 10, 178."). 5. 
Cyrus, b. May 29, 1787. G. Clement, b. Sept. 2, 178!). 7. Han- 
nah A., b. Oct. 5, 1791, d. Feb. 11, 1793. 8. Moses, b. July 19, 
1793. 9. Isaac Watts, b. Apr. 6, 1795. 10. Hannah Adams, b 
Aug. 21, 1797. She was named after Hannah Adams, the author- 
ess, who was sister to her mother. 11 and 12. ^Millie and Harriet 
(twins) b. Jnne 12, 1800. Mr. Hill's large family loft town with- 
out making any settlements here. 

Hill, Jesse, s. of Marvrick, m. Keziah Brick; thoir ch. were: 1. 
Keziah. m. Benjamin Howo. 2 Abigail. 3. Gilbert. 4. Sarah, 
b. April 1, 1785. 5. Julia, b. Juno 12, 1787, m. ^Ir. Goodwiu. 

6. Heman, b. Sept. 25, 1790. 7. Jesse, b. Fob. 14, 1793. 8. 
^lercy, b. Juno 12. 1797. :\Ir. Hill died Dec. 25, 182(k 

Hill, Be/.aleel, s. of Marvrick, m. Hannah Baker ; their ch. were : 
1. Nancy, b. June 22, 1786. 2. Caleb, b. Doc. 19, 1788. 3. 
Hannah, b. Mar. 24, 1791. 4. Lucy, b. Fob. 7, 1793. m. David 
Smith. 5. Orinda, b. Dec. 11, 1794. 6. Bezaleel, b. Apr. 2, 
1797. 7. Amza, b. Feb. 24. 1799. 8. Mo.ses, b. Apr. 14, 1801. 

9. Abigail, b. Dec. 26, 1803. 10. Silas B., b. July 1, ISOt?. 11. 
Lydia, b. 1808. Mr. Hill and all his family loft town about 1815. 

Hill, Nathaniel, s. of Marvrick, m. Annis AVhitcomb ; thoir ch. 
were: 1. Tamer, b. Feb. 16, 1790, d. Sept. 28, 1805. 2. Lu- 
cinda, b. July 5, 1793. 3. Polly, b. Aug. 22, 17!)5. 4. Eliza- 
beth, b. June 14, 1797, d. Dec. 18, 1805. 5. Annis, b. Dec. 7, 
1799. 6. Ebenezer, b. Nov. 30, 1800, d. Oct. 1, 1805. 7. Na- 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^EU. 357 

tl.uriici, h. .May 20, iHi)'.',, d. Sept. 2G, 1X05. ^. Mercy, b. .July 
12, 1804, d. Aug. 3, 1804. ii. Tamer, b. Oct. 30, 180,5. There 
arc none of his descendants living in town at tJie present time. 

Iljf.r,, Sylvanus, s. of Marvrick, m. Charlotte, daii. of Joseph liacon ; 
they had one son named Sylvanus, b. May 18, 1796. Mr. Hill 
moved to New York many years ago. 

Hill, Jkssf:, s. of Jesse, m. Sally Penniman ; their ch. were: 1. Jo- 
seph M.. b. Mar. 12, 1814. 2. Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 181,0. .3. Ed- 
win, b. Apr. VA, 1818. 4. (Jaivin, b. Dec. 2^), l>sllj,d. Sept. 2,3, 
1822. ->. Kliza, b. Jan. 27, I82;i. Mr. Hill died Feb. 1.5, 182,3. 

Hill, Asa, one of the lirht settlers, located in the south part of the 

town, m. ; their ch. were: 1. Francis. 2. Sarah, 

m. Kbcnezer liickford. .Mr. Hill died in 1828. 

Hill, Fuanois, s. of Asa, m. Mary ; their ch. were: 1. Har- 
rison G. O., b. May 26, 1808. 2. Francis L., b. May 12, 1801J. 

Hill, H. G. O., s. of F'rancis, m. Anna ; their ch. were: 1. 

Sarah, b. Mar. 14, 1838. 2. Mary, b. Feb. 16, 1840. 3. Fran- 
cis L., b. Mar. 26, 1842. 

Hinds, Damll, from West Boylston, one of the first settlers, located 
in the south part of the town. He m. Sarah Holbrook ; their ch. 
were: 1. Sarah, d. Mar. 26, 1819. 2. .James. 3. Benjamin. 
4. Daniel, b. Mar. 31, 1790. :>. Milton, b. June 2, 1791. He 
moved back to West Boylston. 

Hinds, Akijaii, m. Susanna ; their ch. were: 1. Martha H., 

b. ,Iune 7, 1817. 2. Charlotte A., b. Aug. 11, 1818. 3. Nancy, 
b. Apr. 3, 1820. 4. Sophrona, b. Oct. 22, 1822. '). Harriet, b. 
July 3, 1824, d. June .30, 1831. 6. Eliza I., b. Oct. 6, 1827. 7. 
Allison, d. June 3, 1844. 8. Abijah, Jr. 

Holland, Joseph, one of the first settlers, came from Boylston, located 
on the summit of Glazier Hill, near the centre of the town. He 
m. Elizabeth Gleason ; their ch. were : Joseph, James, Ruth and 
Ephraim. He sold his place in 1772 to .John Glazier and went 
North. 

Howi:, Ebenezer, whose ancestors lived in Marlboro,' came to this town 
from Tcmpleton. He located about one mile north of the Centre. 
The place is now owned by Charles Eaton. He m. Elizabeth De- 



358 HISTORY OF GAJRBJSrML 

land; their ch. were: 1. Tameson, b. Aug. 31, 1770, in. Joel 
Brooks. 2. Perley, b. Nov. 7, 1772. 3. Ezekiel, b. Mar. 20, 
1775. 4. Sarah, b. Dec. 11, 1777, m. Silas AVood. 5. Betsey, 
b. Apr. 12, 1781, m. Johu Miller. 6. Benjamin, b. Feb. 16, 1783. 
7. Amos, b. June 17, 1785. This was the fn-st birth iu town after 
its incorporation ; he died in 1805, aged 20. Mr. Howe's second 
wife was Mary Hill. He died in 1N08, aged G2. 

HoAVE, Perlky, s. of Ebeuezer, m. Jane T. Belcher ; their ch. were : 
1. Betsey D., b, June 2, 1709, d. June 5, 1822. 2. Sally, b. 
Sept. 18, 1801, m. Jonathan Harris. 3. Eli. b. Apr. 2, 1804, m. 
Mary Severy. 4. Francis J\I., b. Nov. 24, 1806, m. Joel Derby. 
■ 5. Ebenezer, b. Apr. 7, 1809. 6. Perley, b. Sept. 17, 1811. 7. 
Lydia, b. Sept. 22, 1S13, d. July 1, 1835. 8. Jane K., b. Sept. 
28, 1816, d..Aug. 1, 1835. 9. Emily, b. Oct. 2, 1819, m. Jona- 
than Burges. Mr. Howe died Mar. 4, 1839, aged 67. 

Howe, Ezekiel, s. of Ebenezer, m. Susanna Payson ; their ch. were : 
1. Ezekiel, b. Dec. 7, 1802, d. July 16, 1«29. 2. Franklin, b. 
Oct. 19, 1804, m. Mary Gill. 3. Joseph P., b. Mar. 23, 1807. 
4. Samuel S., b. Oct. 11, 1808. 5. Stowel, b. Dec. 27, 1810. 
6. Mary P., b. Apr. 12, 1813, d. Nov. 10, 1.S32. 7. Susanna, 
b. Sept. 5. 1815, d. Jan. 15, 1836. 8. George, b. Nov. 6, 1817. 
m. Jerusha Howe. 9. David M., b. Mar. 30, 1820, m. Sarah B. 
Stratton. 10. Betsey, b. Mar. 22. Mr. Howe d. Jan. 13, 1842. 

HoAVE, Benjamin, s. of Ebenezer, m. Keziah PI ill ; their ch. were: 1. 
Benjamin, b. July 9, 1804. 2. Amos, b. Sept. 1, 1805, d. in 
1836. 3. Sarah, b. JNlay 5, 1808, m. Luke Bowker. 4. Ebenezer 
D., b. Mar. 14, 1811, d. Feb. 19, 1837. 5. Simeon, b. May 14, 
1813. 6. Mary Ann, b. Nov. 2, 1814, d. Jan. 29, l<s4.s. 7. 
Lucy, b. Jan. 23, 1816, d. ^Mar. 6, 1837. 8. Harrison, b. Oct. 5, 
1818, m. Fanny Kendall. 

Howe, Ebenezer, s. of Perley, m. Amy Ann Bly ; their ch. were: 1. 
Henry M., b. Aug. 1, 1834. 2. Maria, b. Sept. 23, 1.S38. 3. 
Nancy S. b. Apr. 8, 1840. 4. Jason J., b. June 23, 1843. 

Howe, Pekley, s. of Perley, m. Mary AVhitney ; their ch. were: 1. 
Orange E., b. Dec, 23, 1835. 2. Alva S., b. Aug. 30, 1837. 

Howe, Joseph P., s. of P^zekiel, m. Maria Conant ; their ch. were: 
1. Maria, b. Mar. 26, 1839, d. Oct. 31, 1858. 2. Abby, b. Aug. 
23, 1844, d. Dec. 12, 1852. 3. Edward P., b. Jan. 11, 1847. 
4. Emogene, b. Nov. 13, 1848, m. Hiram Ray. 



HISTORY OF GAllDKEIt. 359 

IIowE, Samuel 8., s. of Ezekiol, m. Emeline Wood; tlieir cli, were: 
1. Moses W., b. Dec. 7, 183G. 2, ILirriet E., b. Apr. 24, 1841. 
3. Ella F., b. Aug. 2o, 1848. 

Howe, Simeon, s. of Benjamin, in. Abigail Fairbank ; their ch. were : 
1. Simeon A., b. July 2, 1839. 2. Marcus II., b. Dec. 6, 1841. 
3. Adeline F., b. Aug. 30, 1843, d. May 3, 1861. 4. Marshall, 
b. Aug. 21, 1845. 5. Charles H.,b. Aug. 26, 1851. 6. Willie F., 
b. Mar. 24, 1856. 

Howe, Isaiah, m. Abigail Penniman ; their ch. were : 1. Sylvester, b. 
Mar. 21, 1819. 2. Amina, b. July 12. 1821. 3. Franklin, b. 
July 13, 1823. 

HOLDEN, JosiAii II., m. Roxanna Pierce; they had one child named 
Harriet, b. Nov. 5, 1831. 

HoLDEN, Levi, m. Phebe Temple; their ch. were: 1. Leander, b, 
Apr. 29, 1839, d. Sept. 11, 1839. 2. Mary, b. Sept. 15, 1842, d. 
Sept. 29, 1842. 

HoLDEN, Elbridge, m. Louisa ; they had one child named Hol- 

lis, b. Mar. 18, 1840. His second wife was Triphosa Rolfe ; their 
ch. were: 1. Jason C, b. Aug. 31, 1843. 2. Harriet L., b. 
Oct. 23, 1849. 3. Charley F., b. Jan. 23, 1854. 

HoGAN,. William, m. Emily Greenwood; their ch. were: 1. Walter 
W., b. July 17, 1838. 2. p:mma R., b. May 2, 1854. 

Holt, Liberty, m. Lucy ; they had Charles II., b. Aug. 29, 

1843. They moved to Royalston. 

Huntington, L. W. C, m. Betsey Nichols; they had Caroline E., b. 
Oct. 3, 1835. They moved to Ohio previous to 1840. 

Jackson, Elisha, was the first man who settled in what is now Gard- 
ner. He was born in Westminster in 1737. About the year 1764 
he bought four hundred acres of .land in the northwest part of 
Westminster, (now south part of Gardner) a part of which is 
known as the Hubbard Kendall place, and the house now standing 
there was built by him and used for several years as a public house. 
His children, which were numerous, were, with the exception of 
the youngest, born before the incorporation of Gardner. While he 
was a citizen of Westminster, he was a prominent man, and repre- 
sented it twice in the legislature. He ra. Beulah Taylor ; their ch. 



360 HISTORY OF GABDNER. 

were: 1. Jemima, m. Ebenezer Keyes. 2. Lucy, m. Aaron 
Wood. 3. Beulali, m. Jouathau Brown. 4. Ruth, m. Nahum 
Wood, 5. Sullivau. G. Elislia. 7. Josiah. 8. Ebenezer, m. 
Susanna Foster. 9. Abigail, m. Timothy Tail. 10. Abel. Mr. 
Jackson died iu 1814, aged 77. 

Jacksox, Sulliaax. s. of Elisha, m. Sally Bancroft ; their ch. were : 
1. Roena, b. May 24, 1804, d. May 4, 1818. 2. Laura, b. Aug. 
7, 1806, m. Asaph Foskett. 3. Edwin, b. July 30, IBOD, m. Lucy 
Gill. 4. Sally, b. Jan 1), 1818, m Orvilie Ford. 

Jackson, Elisha, s. of Elisha, m. Relief Beard; their ch. were: 1. 
Phebe, b. Sept. 28, 1803. 2. Lucy, b. Mar. 7, 180(5. 3. Elisha 
S., b. Apr. 7, 1808. 4 and 5. Sophrona and Samautha, (twins) 
b. Jan. 18, 1810, Sophrona m. Oscar Parker. Samantlia m. Wil- 
liam Young. 6. Joseph L., b. j\Iar. 19, 1813. 7. Charles W., 
• b. Dec. 1, 1814. 8. Elvira, b. June 22, 1817. 9. Leonard F., b. 
Oct. 27, 1820, d. Nov. 18, 1842. 

Jackson, Josiah, s. of Elisha 1st, m. Arathusa Bacon ; their ch. were : 
1. Christiana B., b. Mar. 3, 1803. 2. Arathusa C, b. Nov. 21, 
1810. 8. Josiah A., b. Oct. 27, 1S16. 4. Abigail S., b. Jan. 6, 
1820, m. Mr. Lord. 5. Eliza A., b. Mar. 4, 1823, d. Feb 30, 
1824. Mr. Jackson died Feb. 1, 1842. 

Jackson, Abel, s. of Elisha 1st, m Betsey Foster; their ch. were: 1. 
David F., b. Feb. 14, 1815 2. Elizabeth, b. Mar. 14, 1817, m. 
Charles Greenwood. 3. Susanna, b. Apr. 22, 1819. 4. Harriet, 
b. May 2, 1821, m. William Greenwood. 5. Abel, b. Nov. 12, 
1823. 

Jackson, Elisha S., s. of Eli.sha 2d, m. Phebe Williams ; their ch. were : 
1. Otis, b. Sept. 14, 1838. 2. Rosella, b. May 18, 1841, m. 
Elias E. Ilorton. 

Jackson, Josiah A., s. of Josiah, m. Sally Coolidge ; their ch. were: 

I. Francis, b. May 27, 1840, d. Sept. 9, 1840. 2. George F., b. 
April 7, 1842. 3. Eliza A., b. Sept. 2, 1844, m. Alvin Matthews. 
Ella A., b. June 11, 1848, m David Porterfield. 

Jackson, Caleb, m. Betsey ; their ch. were: 1. Isaac, b. 

May 19, 1782. 2. Caleb, b. June 17, 1786. 3. Joseph, b. Jan. 

II, 1791. 4. Charles, b. Jan. 8, 1793. 5. Betsey, b. Jan. 22, 
li96. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. ■ 361 

Jackson, Isaac, m. Betsey Brooks; their ch. were: 1. Susan E., b. 
Aug. 7, 1820, m. Sylvester K. Pierce. 2. Betsey T., b. Aug. 22, 
1822. His second wife was Hattie Minott ; their ch. were.: 1. 
Rockwell, b. Nov. 22, 1827. 2. Maria, b. Aug. 12, 1830. 3. 
Melaucia, b. July 24, 1832, d. May 5. 1833. 4. Ellen, b. Nov. 
26, 1836. 0. Daniel W.,b. Sept. 17, 1839. 6. Edward, b. June 
21, 1844. 

Jaquith, Isaac, m. Maria Comee ; their ch. were: 1. Abbie I., b. 
Sept. 4, 1826, m. Lysander B. Jaquith. 2. Sarah M., b. July 29, 
1830, d. Mar. 31, 1833. 3. Maria L., b. Mar. 5, 1832, m. Ilollis 
Thonapsou. 4. Mary F., b. Apr. 17, 1835, m. Webster Gates. 

Jaquith, Abram, m. Abigail Mead ; they had one child named Isaac 
P., b. Apr. 30, 1825. His second wife was Ruhama Comee. 

JiLLSON, Sylvester W., m. Mary ; their ch. were : 1. Justin 

K., b. Nov. 17, 1839. 2. Henry H., b. Nov. 6, 1841. 3. Le- 
ander S., b. Mar. 17, 1844. 

Johnson, Nathaniel, m. Lucy ; they had Nathaniel, b. Mar. 

29, 1789. They left town soon after. 

Kelton, Samuel, one of the first settlers, from Needham, located in the 
north part of the town. He was a captain in the Revolutionary 
War. He m. Mary Leeds ; their ch. were : 1. Lemuel. 2. Esther. 

3. Enos. 4. William. 5. Eliam, b. Oct. 26, 1785. 6. Mary, 
b. Oct. 18, 1791, m. Stillman Holden. He died at the age of 79 
years. 

Kelton, JjEMUel, s. of Samuel, m. Patty Angier ; their ch. were : 1. 
Patty, b. Sept. 12, 1796, m. Joel Wheeler. 2. Nabby, b. Sept. 
13, 1802, d. Oct. 12, 1841. 3. Samuel, b. May 28, 1810, m. 
Mary Ann Eaton. 

Kelton, Enos, s. of Samuel, m. Dorothy Winchester ; their ch. were : 
1. Louisa, b. July 18, 1815, m. Augustus Houghton. 2. George, 
b. Apr. 19, 1817. 3. Salina, b. Sept. 25, 1820, m. Warren Cramm. 

4. Charles, b. Dec. 27, 1821. 5. Lucinda, b. Oct. 6, 1825, d. 

Kelton, Eliam, s. of Samuel, m. Sophia Horsley ; their ch. were : 1. 
David, b. June 25, 1827. 2. Nancy, b. Jan. 22, 1831, m. Lean- 
der Knowlton. 

46 



362 HISTORY OF GARDNEB. 

Keltox, George, s. of Enos, m. Sophia Adams; their oh. wore: 1. 
Charles F., b. Got. 'lb, 1848. 2. Ella K., h. Juno 25, 1819, d. 
July 20, IS,')!. 

Keltox, Charles, s. of Enos, ui. Susan Rood; their oh. wore: 1. 
Laura M., b. July 16, 1843. 2. Charles G., b. Aug. 26, 1845. 

0. Amasa AV., b. June 18, 1848. 4. Eliza, b. Get. 2, 1851. 5. 
Luolla A., b. June 12, 1855. 6. George H. 7. Etta L. 

Kendall, Benjamin, from Sherburne, one o^ the first settlors, looatod 
in the south part of the town. lie ni. Keziah Twiohell ; their oh. 
were: 1. Asaph, ni. Eunioe Case. 2. Rebeoca, d. 8. Jonathan, 
m. ;Mary Nichols. 4. Rebecca. 5. Martin, ni. Prudence Ken- 
dall. 6. Anna, ni. Marshall Stoddard. 7. Miriam, m. Bartlott 
Stoddard. 8. Keziah. ^Iv. Kendall was born in 1745 and died 
iu 1841, aged 1)6 years. 

Kendall, Jonathan, s. of Benjamin, m. jMary Nichols ; their oh. were : 

1. Asaph, b. Sept. 3, 1794. 2. Hubbard, b. Apr. 18, 1796. 3. 
Moses, b. May 16, 1798. 4. Eunice. 5. Grrison. 6. Edmond. 

7. Crusoe. 8. Rebeoca. 9. ^lary. 10. Fanny, m. Harrison 
Howe. 11. Harrison. 

Kendall Martin, s. of Benjamin, m. Prudence Kendall ; their oh. 
were: 1. Isaac, b. Sept. 6, 1801, m. Caroline Partridge. 2. 
Mary, b. Sept. 8, 1803, m. Asa Perley. 8. Alvin, b. Dec. 13, 
1805, m. Mary Bemis. 4. Auuis, b. Dec. 18, 1807, m. Robert 
Powers, Jr. 5, David, b. Feb. 27, 1810. 6. Adeline, b :\lay 
23, 1812 7. Bartlett S., b. Mar. 2b, 1814, m. Martha Hinds. 

8. Benjamin, b. June 80, 1816. 9. Martin, b. July 28, 1818, d. 
Nov. 19, 1821. 

Kendall, Hubbard, s. of Jonathan, ni. Rhoda Sawia ; their oI>. were : 
1. Nancy. 2. Albert A., b. Mar. 3, 1828. He was a surgeon in 
the 12th INIassachusetts Regiment of Volunteers, and shot at the 
battle of Antietam, while in discharge of his duty. 3 and 4. Ed- 
ward A. and Edwin L., (twins) b. Get. 4, 1882. 5. Abigail S., 
b. Nov. 12, 1834. 6. Rhoda 1\I., b. Deo. 7, 1886. 7. Harriet 
E., b. Feb. 22, 1839. 

Kendall, Edmond, s. of Jonathan m. ; they had 

Chester, b. Sept. 11, 1840, d. Got. 24, 1842. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 363 

Kendali., David, s. of Martin, m. Lucy Kemp ; lluir <;h. were: 1. 
Eliza Ann, b. May 9, 18:^7. 2. George, b. Mar. 1, 1839. 3. 
Webster A., b. Mar. 5, 1841. 4. Fraucena M., b. Jan. 9, 1848. 
;•). Mary J., b. Mar. 14, 18o0. «. Alice I., b. Mar. 18.'»2. 

Keyes, Ebenezek, one of the early inhabitants, settled in the west part 
of the town. lie m. Jemima, dau, of Elisha and Beulah (Taylor) 
Jack.son ; their ch. were: 1. Solomon, b. Mar. 30, 1788, d. Sept. 
2',, 1793. 2. Ebenezer, b. Mar. 9, 1790, d. Aug. 27, 1794. 3. 
Elihha, b. Feb. 18, 1792. 4. Jemima, b. Apr. 19, 1794. .0. Eb- 
enezer, b. Apr. 25, 179G. 0. Solomon, b. June 2, 1798. 7. 
Naomi, b. Oct. 12, 1800. 8. Lucy J., b. Oct. 25, 1802. Mr. 
Keyes moved to the state of Maine about 1812. 

Kendall, Auel, from Sterling, one of the first settlers, located in the 
east part of the town. He staid in town but a few years. The 
name of liis wife is not on record; their ch. were: I. Abel, b. 
Feb. 7, 1792, m. J3etsey Childs. 2. Betsey, b. Aug. IG, 1793. 3. 
Polly, b. Dec. 25, 1794. 4. Silas, b. June 11, 1797, d. July 29, 
1797. 5. Lucinda, b. Aug. 29, 1798. 6. Silas, b. Jan. 5, 1800. 
7. Heman, b. Feb. 6, 1802, d. Feb. 14, 1802. 8. Wilder, b. June 

21, 1«03, d. July 8, 1803. 9. Ezra, b Mar. 13, 1805. 10. He- 
man W,, b. Apr. 1, 1808. 11. Lima S., b. Oct. 17, 1812. Mr. 
Kendall moved West about 1813. 

Kemp, John, from Groton, an early settler, was a miller in the south 
part of the town. He m Sarah Shattuck ; their ch. were: 1. 
Jonathan, m. Fidelia Johnson. 2. Sarah, m. Amos Ray. 3. Bet- 
sey, m. Amos Gates. 4. Amy, m. John Eaton. 5. John, m. 
Sylvia Sawin. 6. Olive, m. Almond Ray. 7. Lucinda, b. June 

22, 1812. 8. Nancy, b. Aug. 20, 1814, m. Benjamin A. Gates. 
9. Lucy, b. Jan. 26, 1810, m. David Kendall. 10. Abijah, b. 
Oct. 13, 1817, d. Dec. 17, 1817. Mr. Kemp died in 18.53, aged 82. 

Knapi*, Houace, m. Martha ; their ch, were: 1. Rebecca, b. 

Apr. 22, 1842. 2 and 3. Clement and Clara, (twins) b. July 4, 
1844. 4. Eliza Jane, b. June 20, 1846. 

Knowlton, Emery, m. Polly Fisher; their ch. were: 1. Leander, b. 
Nov. 21, 1828, m. Nancy Kelton. 2. Augustus, b. Oct. 14, 1831, 
m. Martha Putnam. 3. Henry C, b. Dec. 24, 1833, m. Mary 
Ann Eaton. 4. Mary, b. May 19, 1836, ra. Charles Whitney. 5. 
Maria, b. June 23, 1838, ra. Edwin F. Baker. 6. Lyman, b. 
Apr. 26, 1842. 



364 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Kneeland, Timothy, from Harvard, was the third inhabitant of the 
town. He came here in 1771, (Samuel Cook was the second, and 
lived where Edward Greenwood now lives ; nothing more can be 
ascertained concerning him, as he left the place before the organiza- 
tion of the town) and located one and a half miles west of the 
Centre, (which was then Winchendon). He was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War three years and three months. Although he 
had a large family of children there are none of his descendants 
living in town at the present time. The exact spot where he 
located was near the junction of the Wilder and Kneeland brooks, 
at the upper end of what is now Dr. Parker's mill pond ; the old 
cellar may be seen at the present day. At the time of his settle- 
ment it was an unbroken wilderness for miles about him, with the 
exception of the meadow, (now flowed by Dr. Parker's pond) which 
it is supposed was cleared by beavers, and was at that time produc- 
ing large crops of grass. It is probable that this was the principal 
inducement which led him to settle in that place. He was a 
carpenter as well as farmer, and was of great service to those who 
afterwards settled around him. He had ten children, all of whom, 
with one exception, lived to be old, and most oi them had large 
families. Inasmuch as there are some things somewhat remarkable 
concerning the family, it may be interesting to the reader to have a 
more detailed account of it, then we have generally adopted in this 
record of families. He m. Maria Stone ; their ch. were : 1. Maria, 
m. Joseph Nichols, whose ch. were : Andrew, Sarah, David, Levi, 
Sabria and Fanny. 2. Oliver, m. Betsey Baldwin, whose ch. 
were: Lucy, Israel, Silas, Esther, Betsey, Levi, Abner and Ed- 
ward. 3. John, m. Mary Johnson, whose ch. were : Mary 
Cynthia, Electa, Lucy, Bial, Arza, Eliza and John W. 4. Miriam, 
b. in 1769. These four children of Mr. Kneeland were born before 
he came to this town, probably in Harvard, the remaining six were 
born in Gardner, as follows : 5. Asa, m, Hannah Cheney, whose 
ch. were: John, Philand, Hannah G., Dulcena, Asa, Maria, 
Abner, Leonard, Sarah, Gardner and Averill. 6. Abner, m. 
Waity Ormsby, whose ch. were : Waitstill, Sophronia and .John 
S. His second wife was Lucinda Mason ; their ch. were: Lucin- 
da and Abner O. His third wife was Mrs. Osburn. His fourth 
wife Avas a lady from Boston. Abner Kneeland, whose fame reached 
almost every country, was brought up in the good old-i'ashioned 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^ER. 365 

ways of our ancestors. Being naturally of a strong mind, he, with 
but little assistance, gained a fair education, and was employed as a 
school teacher for some time. In 1802 he published a spelling 
book of 200 pages, entitled the " American Definition Spelling 
Book." In 1805 he was ordained as a Baptist minister in Langdon, 
N. H,, and for several years was a member of that denomination. 
Afterward he was a preacher of universal salvation for several 
years. Subsequently he became a deist, and was for many years 
editor of the Boston Investigator. He died in 1844, aged 70. 7. 
Lucy, m. Paid Stearns, whose ch. were: Timothy K., Lucy, 
Thomas, John M., (who is a counsellor and attorney at law in 
Williamsburg, N. Y.) Sarah, Benjamin Franklin, (a merchant in 
Felchville, Vt.) and George Washington, (twins) (a physician in 
New Bedford, Mass.) Paul W. and Honestus. 8. Sarah, m. Mr. 
Phinney 9. Edward, d. 10. Silas, m. Martha Laws, whose ch. 
were : Lucy, Maria, Martha, Ira, Joel, Nancy, Abel L. M., George 
W. S. and Mary. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Kneeland had ten 
children and fifty-five grandchildren. Mr. Kneeland died in March, 
1818, aged 81. Mrs. Kneeland died Aug. 6, 1831, aged 87. 

Leland, Simeon, s. of Simeon and grandson of William Leland 
from Sherborne. He bought a farm of Peter Goodale, about the 
year 1794 ; (it is the one now owned by Charles Hey wood) their 
ch. were: 1. Lynda. 2. HoUis, m. Betsey Graves. 3. Belar- 
mine, m. Hattie Hill. 4. Simon, m. in the western country. 5. 
Amasa. 6. Elbridge, m. Betsey Priest. 7. Rhoda, m. Silas 
Seaver. 

Leland, Amasa, s. of Simeon, m. Martha Seaver; their ch. were: 1. 
Martha J., b. Mar. 21, 1818. 2. Elbridge G., b. Aug. 8, 1820. 
3. Simeon A. K., b. Jan. 12, 1824. 4. Amasa IL, b. June 9, 
1826, d. Nov. 30, 1842. 5. Rosella S., b. Mar. 30, 1828. 6. 
HoUis J., b. Aug. 22, 1830. 7. Leonard L., b. Feb. 18, 1833. 
8. Mary S., b. May 28, 1835. His second wife had Walter AV., 
b. May 1, 1840, and Lucy C, b. Aug. 8, 1841. 

Learned, Samuel, from Cambridge, a farmer and blacksmith in the 
east part of the town. He m. Lydia Knapp ; their ch. were : 1. 
William, b. Aug. 19, 1794. 2. Samuel, b. July 2, 1796. 3. 
Lydia, b. Sept. 11, 1798, m. Winslow Davis. 4. Anna, b. Oct. 
31, 1802. 5. John, b. Dec. 20, 1806. 6 and 7. Mary and Mar- 



366 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

tlia, (twins) b. Apr. 12, 1810. Mary m. Charles Green. Martha 
m. George M. Travers. 8. Ebenezer T., b. July 19, 1812, m. 
Mary White. 

Learnek, William, s. of Samuel, ni. Kebecca Nichols ; their ch. were : 
1. WilliamH.,b. May 30, 1820,111. Marietta Whitney. 2. LyiliaK., 
b. July 2, 1822, m. Asher W. Shattuck. 3. Walter N., b. Mar. 17, 
1825. 4. Rebecca L., b. June 17, 1827, m, Charles Gates. 5. 
Francis, b. Mar, 11, 1830, ni. Sarah Newton. 6. Emily A., b. 
May 27, 1833, d. 7. Emily A., b. Sept. 5, 1835, m. Webster 
Cowee. 8. Lucy P., b. June 17, 183S, m. Albert Lovejoy. His 
second wife was Lois W. Davis, who had one child named Myron, 
b. Feb. 18, 1847. 

Learned, Samuel, s. of Samuel, m. Abigail Jaquith ; whose ch. were: 
Samuel and John. His second wife was Jerusha Hayues ; their 
ch. were : Turel and Jerusha. His third wife was Sarah Joslin ; 
their ch. were : William and Frank. His fourth Avife was Mrs. 
Eaton. 

Lord, James B., m. Abigail Jackson ; they had one child named Charles 
Henry, b. May 22, 1841. They afterwards left town. 

Lovewell, Isaac, m. Eliza ; came to this town about 1839; 

they had one child b. Oct 17, 1841, named Lyman F. They had 
other children born in Hubbardston of which we have no record. 

Lovewell, Leonard, m. Louisa Comee ; their ch. were: 1. John 
H., b. Aug. 7, 1831. 2. Charles L., b. May 2, 1834, m. Lucy 
Stone. 3. Mary J., b. July 5, 183G. 4. Martha M., b. Oct. 3, 
1838. 

Lynde, William, from Maiden, became a resident of Gardner about 
1795, and bought the valuable farm recently OAvned by his son, 
Wm. S. Lynde,' and now by George F. Peabody. He m. JNIary 
Waite of Maiden ; they had one child whose name was William S., 
b. Aug. 1, 1800. 

Lynde, William, S., s. of William, m. Christiana Comee; their ch. 
were: 1. Mary M., b. Mar. 12, 182C, m. John Peabody. 2. 
James P., b. Mar., 1828. 3. Charles, b. May 20, 1830. 4. 
Celia, b. Jan. 13, lH32,ni. David Lovewell. 5. Sarah P., b. Oct. 
5, 1834, m. Ephriam H. Wetlierbee. (!. Leander C, b. Aug. 27, 
1839, m. Elizabeth E. Reed. His second wife was Addie A. Lin- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 367 

nell. 7. An inf.int, b. May 1, 1842, d. May 3, 1842. His second 
wife was Mrs. Mary Bolton ; their ch. were : 1, Octavia, b. Sept. 
24, 1840, m. George F. Peabody. 2. Harriet M., b. Sept. 24, 
184J), d. July 30, 1850. 

Matthews, John, from Holden, located as a farmer, where his grand- 
son, Joel Matthews, now resides. He was a soldier in the Revoln- 
tiooary War six months. He m. Patience Graves ; their ch. were : 

1. John, m. Mary Turner. 2. Abel, m. Lucretia Wilder. 3. 
Patience. 4. Joel, m. Sarah Coolidge. 5. Priscilla, m. Luke 
Baker. 6. Lydia, m. Joel Fisher. 7. Phebe. 8. Hezekiah. 
Mr. Matthews died in 1817, aged 82. 

Matthews, Joel, s. of John, m. Sally, dau. of James and vSally 
(Gould) Coolidge; their ch. were: 1. Phebe, b July 25, 1805, 
m. Mr. Flint. 2. Joel, b. Feb. 5, 1807. 3. James C, b. Feb. 
6, 1809. 4. Betsey G., b. May 16, 1811, m. Joseph Guild. 5. 
Sarah, b June 28, 1813, m. William Pratt. 6. Lydia, b. Dec. 27, 
1814, m. Mr. Flint. 7. Lewis G , b. May 13, 1817. 8. Heze- 
kiah, b. Oct. 24, 1818, m. Sally Gates. 9. Lucy, b. Feb. 27, 
1821. Mr. Matthews died July 7, 1863, aged 87. 

Matthews, John, s. of John, m. Mary Turner ; their ch. were: 1. 
Abel, b. Jan. 13, 1806, d. Mar. 8, 1815. 2. Edward T., b. Sept. 

2, 1807. 3. Betsey T., b. Mar. 21, 1809. 4. Lucy, b. July 4, 
1811, d. May 26, 1813. 

Matthews, James C, s. of Joel, b. Feb. 6, 1809. m. Elvira Bush ; their 
ch. were : 1. Ephraim, b. July 28, 1837, m. Nellie A. Fiske. 2. 
Eliza M., b. Nov. 1, 1838, m. Charles Averell. 3. James, b. 
Sept. 12, 1840, d. Oct. 11, 1840 4. Lucina, b. Oct. 20, 1841. 
5. Alvin, b. Sept. 1, 1843, m. Eliza A. Jackson. 6. James L., 
b. Dec. 24, 1844. 7. Sarah E., b. Dec. 11, 1846, m, Jacob Holden. 

Martin, Jonathan, from Lunenburg, was a farmer in the west part of 
the town, where Horatio Stoddard now lives. He m. Susanna 
Taylor; their ch. were: 1. John. 2. David. 3. George, m. 
Fanny Brikley. 4. Jonathan, m. Lydia Dukley. 5. James, m. 
Lucy Travers, who had eleven children. His second wife was 
Mary Wads worth who had three children. His third wife was 
Mary Upton, who had three children — seventeen in all. 6. Su- 



368 HI8T0BY OF GABDNER. 

sauna, in, Austin Parker. 7. Betsey, d. 8. Betsov, ni. Elijah 
Tnivers. 9. Lucy, b. Sept. 30, 1702. Mr. RIartiu died ,luly 1, 
182G. 

Merkitt, Noah, m. Eunice ; their eli. were: 1. Noadiah, b. 

Dec 2, 1782. 2. Aehsaii. b. Mar. oU, 17S1. 3. Abigail, b. Sept. 

23, 1785. 
Merkiam, Jonathan, troni Westminster, was a huMuer in the north part 

of the town, where Asa W. Kayuunul now lives. He m. Betsey 

Harris; their eh. were: 1. Jacob 11., b. Jan. 22, 179!). 2. 

Nathan, b. Aug. 7, 1800, d. Sept. 19, 1805. 8. Betsey AV., b. 

Aug. 7, 1802, d. Sept. 10, 1805. 4. Sally, b. in Oct , 1804. 5. 

Samuel H., b. :May 16, 1808. G. ]Milton, b. June 20, 1810. 7. 

Betsey, b. Nov. 17, 1813. Mr. ]Merrian\, Samuel and INIilton died 

in Dec, 1820, of typhoid fever. 

Merkiam, John, m. Sally Severy ; their eh. were: 1. Caleb S., b. 
July 18, 1817. 2. Anna C, b. Nov. 22, 1819, m. ^h-. Flagg. 3. 
Jonas, b. Mar. 19. 1823. 4. Oliver M., b. Sept. 2, 1825. 5. 
Sally R., b. July 2, 1828. 

Merriam, Nathan, ni. Abigail, dau. of Abner and Elizabeth (Derby) 
Holden ; their ch. Avere : 1. Joel, b. Feb. 3, 1780, m. Polly Farns- 
worth. 2. Nathan, b. Nov. 27, 1787, m. Ruth Keyes. 3. Reu- 
ben, b. May 15. 1790. 4. Asaph, b. Mar. 20, 1792, m. Miss 
Gibson. 0. Abigail, b. Jan. 29, 1795, m. Farwell Cowee. 

Maynard, Joseph, m. jNIary Crosby ; their cli. were : 1. Mary A., b. 

Mar. 14, 1<S29, m. Calvin Conant. 2. Ellen, b. Dec. 22, 1830, m. 

Mr. Gushing. 3. Henry, b. July 20, 1833. 4. Eliza, b. June 17, 

1837. 
Miller, Amos, m. Martha "Williams; their ch. were: 1. George W., 

b. May 23, 1835. 2. James, b. D^c. 1, 1830. 

Merritt, Increase S., ni. Susan Penniman ; their ch. were: 1. Sim- 
eon, b. INIar. 21, 1823. 2. Ezra iM , b. Mar. 2, 1825. 

Miles, Oliver, from Concord, was a cabinet maker. He m. Sarah 
Joslyn ; their ch. were: 1. Orinda, b. Jan. 14, 1798, m. Andrew 
Mentser. 2. John J., b. Nov. 2, 1799, m. Sarah Mosman. 3. 
Charles, b. Sept. 28, 1801, ni. Sophia Brown. 4. Walter, m. Miss 
lugalls. 5. Luke, m. Mary Ann Conant. 0. Cyrus, m. Ann 
Whitney. 7. Harriet, m. Charles Crane. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 369 

Miles, John, from Concord, brother of Oliver, was a farmer ia the 
east part of the town, m, Mary Mosman ; their ch. were : 1. Mary. 
2. Louisa, m. John Dalrymple. 

MiNOTT, Amos B.. ni. Maria, dau. of Elijah and Sarah (Comee) Brick ; 

their ch. were: 1. i:dwia M., b. Aug. 10, 1843. 2. b, 

Apr. 24, 1845. 3. William II., b. July 11, 1848. 4. Sarah, b. 
Apr. 4, 1850. 5. Frank, b. Sept. 21, 18.54. 

.Moore, Phineas, m. Hannah ; their ch, were: 1. Thaddeus, 

b. July 25, 1812. 2. f:zra S., b. Nov 29, 1814. 

Moore, Ezra, a farmer in the west part of the town. He m. Sally 
; they had one child named Polly. 

Munroe, Samuel, m. Abigail Seaver ; their ch. were: 1. Samuel 
VV., b. Dec. 25, 1840. 2. Edward M., b. Nov. 4, 1846. 

Newton, Rueus, m. Rebecca Willard ; their ch. were: 1. Lucy A., 

b. Jan. 27, 1839. 2. Charles H., b. Nov. 3, 1841. 3. , 

b. Apr. 21, 1844. 4. George, b. .Jan. 11, 1848. 

Newton, Eumond, m. Mary N. ; their ch. were: 1. Mary E., 

b. Sept. 6, 1841, d. Sept. 11, 1841. 2. George W., b. Dec. 3. 
1843. 3 Althea A., b. May 15, 1846. 4. Franklin D., b. Apr. 
13, 1855. 

Newbury, Dayton, m. Elizabeth ; their ch were : 1. Albert, 

b. Oct. 25, 1831, at Springfield. 2. Harriet E., b. Oct. 9, 1833, at 
Uxbridge. 3. Gilbert B., b. Aug, 5, 1835. 4. Dwight, b. Mar. 
11, 1838. 5. Franklin, b. June 2, 1840, d. Sept. 22, 1843. 6. 
Maria A., b. June 12, 1842. 

Nichols, David, from Reading, one of the first settlers, was a farmer 
and blacksmith in the south part of the town. He. m. Rebecca 
Burknap ; their ch. were: 1. David, m. Rachel Howard. 2. 
Kendall, m. Deborah Partridge. 3. Rebecca. 4. Mary. 5. 
Isaac, m. Nancy Dodge, 6. Asa, m. Mary Derby. 7. Sarah. 8. 
Edmond, m. Esther Jackson. His second wife was Rhoda Forbush. 
9. John, m. Betsey Stevens. Mr. Nichols died at the age of fifty. 

Nichols, David, s. of David, m. Rachel Howard ; their ch. were : 1. 
Lydia B., b. Apr. 26, 1789. 2. David, b. Feb. 13, 1791. 3. 
Betsey, b. Feb. 10, 1793. 4. Isaac, b. July 29, 1795. 5. Nathan, 
b. Mar. 11, 1797. 6. Rebecca, b. July 7, 1799, m. William 

47 



370 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Learned. 7. Edmond, b. Aug. 20, 1801. 8. Amos, b. Aug. 
27, 1804. i). Elvira, b. Dec. 3, 1806, m. John Edgell. 10. 
Enaily A., b. July 21, 1801), m. James M. Comee. 11. Charles, 
b. Sept. 5, 1811. 

Nichols, Kendall, s. of David 1st, m. Deborah Partridge ; their ch. 
were: 1. Amos, b. Apr. 24, 1793. 2. Asaph, b. Feb. 25, 1797. 

Nichols, Isaac, s. of David 1st, m. Nancy Dodge ; their ch. were : 1. 
Farwell, b. Jan. 11, 1799, m. Azubah Pierce. 2. Nancy, b. Nov. 
27, 1800. 3. Lucy, b. 1803, d. Sept. 29, 1811. 4. Lyman, b. 
June 30, 180G. 

Nichols, Asa, s. of David 1st, m. Mary Derby; their ch. were: 1. 
Merrick, b. Nov. 8, 1806, m. Amanda Wood. 2. Burknap, b. 
Apr. 28, 1810. 3. Washington, b. Apr. 8, 1814. m. Lucinda 
Fenno. 4. Lucy B., b. Jan. 20, 1817. 5. William, b. Aug. 12, 
1820. 

Nichols, Edmond, s. of David 1st, m. Esther Jackson ; they had one 
child named Benjamin F., b. Aug. 24, 1806. His second wife 
was Rhoda Forbush ; their ch. were : Esther, Edmond, Martha 
and Amos. 

Nichols, John, s. of David 1st, m. Betsey Stevens ; their ch. were : 1. 

Eliza E. L., b. Mar. 17, 1811. 2. Betsey, b. Jidy 9, 1812. 3. 

John L., b. Mar. 19, 1813. 4. Charles C, b. Jan. 18, 1816. 5. 

Abel S., b. Oct. 24, 1817. 6 and 7. Mary and Martha (twins). 8. 
Franklin. 

Nichols, Zachariah, m. Rebecca ; their ch. were : 1. Zacha- 

riah, b. July 18, 1795. 2. Nahum, b. Apr. 26, 1797. 3. James, 
b. May 1, 1799. 4. Rebecca, b. Oct. 24, 1801. 

Nichols, Farwell, s. of Isaac, m. Azubah Pierce; their ch were: 1. 
Lucy, b. Apr. 6, 1825. 2. Louisa, b. 1831, m. first, Mr. Thomas, 
second, Mr. Jones Mr. Nichols was fatally shot, by accident, on 
a Fourth of July, at Fitchburg. 

Nichols, Washington, s. of Asa, m. Lucinda Fenno ; their ch. were : 
1. Harriet W., b. June 17, 1835, d. Sept. 20, 1835. 2. Eliza 
Jane, b. Dec. 4, 1837, m. Charles Baker. 3. George B., b. Dec. 
25, 1840, m. Anna Brewster. 4. Charles M., b. Nov., 1844, m. 
Josie Batson. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 371 

Nichols, Burknap, s, of Asa, m. Sarah Fletchei- ; they had one child 
named George, b. May 20, 1835, d. May 13, 1S37. Mr. Nichols 
died March 9, 1838. 

NoYKS, Adam, m. Mehitable ; their eh. were: 1. Henry W., 

b. Dec. 28, 17'.)9. 2. Thomas R., b. Aug. 31, 1801. 3. Adam 
S., b. Dec, 1802. 4. Charles M. A., b. Nov. 12, 1805, d. Dec. 
30, 1805. 5. Maria M., b. Feb. 17, 1807. fi. Ciiarles A., b. 
Mar. 31, ISO!). 

Notes, Henry J., m. Jaue Gates; their ch. were: 1 and 2. Jane 
and James II., (twins) b. July 20, 1835, James d., Jane m. John 
Simonds. 3. Samuel L., b. Jan. 0, 1837. 4. Susan E., b. 
Sept. 17, 183!), m. Henry C. Boyles. 5. Charles L., b. Mar. 13, 
1842. 6 and 7. Edward P. and Ellen D., (twins) b. Sept. 23, 
1847, Ellen d. Sept. 25, 1847. 

Osgood, Jonathan, from Westford, was the first minister settled in 
Gardner. He is spoken of more particularly in the ecclesiastical 
department. He m. Orange Wadsworth ; their ch. were : 1. 
Amelia L. F., m. Jonas Childs. 2. Eliza O. W., m. Joshua M. 
Whitcomb. 3. Jonathan W. D. His first wife was Eliza Bar- 
nard ; they had one child whose name was Walter B. His second 
wife was Miss M. F. Stone, whose ch. were: James S., Eliza F. 
and Caroline P. More will be said of him in another chapter. 4. 
Amanda A., m. Clement Jewett. 5. Harrison M., m. Miss 
Leonard. 

Partridge, Jabez, from Sherburne, located as a farmer in the south 
part of the town, where his grandson, Seneca Partridge, now lives. 
He was one of the early inhabitants of the town. He m. Anna 
Twichell ; their ch. were: 1. Adam, d. 2. Deborah, m. Elisha 
Pierce. 3. Adam, m. Mary Jackson. 4. Hannah, m. Mr. 
Bigelow. 5. Cynthia, b. Dec. 1, 1785, m. Luke Whitney. 6. 
Miriam, b. A\xg. 20, 1787. 7. Henry, b. June 5, 17'.)1. 

Partridge, Adam, s. of Jabez, m. Mary Jackson ; their ch. were : 1 . 
Asa, b. Aug. 1, 1800. 2. Seneca, b. July 26, 1802. 3. Oran, 
b. June 30, 1806, m. Polly Wood. 4. Caroline, b. Nov. 13, 
1808, m. Isaac P. Kendall. 5. Loenza, b. June 27, 1814. 6. 
Adam, b. June 14, 1817, m. Melissa Underwood. 7. Mary, b. 
Dec. 12, 1819, m. James Stearns. 8. Louisa, b. May 3, 1822, 
m. Mr. Benton. Mr. Partridge died May 22, 1855, aged 77. 



372 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Partridge. Seneca, s. of Adam, m. Sally Brown ; their ch. were: 1. 
Silas, b. May 26, 1829, m. Mary Sanders. 2. Harriet W., b. 
Jan. 16, 1832, m. Solon Kendall. 3 and 4. Francis and Frederic, 
(twins) b. Mar, 15, 1840. His second wife was Sarah Under- 
wood; their ch. were : 1. George W., b. Apr. 17, 1847, d. Aug. 
11, 1848. 2. George A., b. Dec. 18, 1849. 3. Orlando, b. 
Dec. 12, 1854. 

Partridge, Reuben, from Sherburne, an early inhabitant, located in 
the south part of the town. He ra. Mary Perry; their ch. were: 
1. Deborah. 2. Mary, m. Samuel Hill, whose ch. were: Amos, 
Moses, John, Nathaniel and William. 

Parker, John, m. Mary White; their ch. were: 1. Lucy, b. May 
25, 1806, d. May 26, 1806. 2. Adeline, b. Sept. 6, 1807, d. Dec. 
23, 1827. 3. Oscar A., b. Nov. 14, 1808. 4. Frederick, b. 
Apr. 26, 1811, m, Mary Greenwood. 5. Mary, b. .Jan. 19, 1814. 
6 Lucy W., b. Aug. 20, 1817. 7. Abner W., b. July 17, 1820. 
Mr. Parker died Mar. 1, 1829. 

Parker, Oscar A., s. of .John m. Sophrona Jackson ; their ch. were : 

1. Emily A., b. at Concord, N. H., Sept. 17, 1835. 2. Elvira 
J., b. Nov. 26, 1837. 3. Harriet A., b. Nov. 26, 1839. 

Parker, Abram G., m. Lydia Nichols; their ch. were: 1. Hannah 
G., b. Jan. 30, 1811. 2. Alexander G., b. Jan. 14, 1814. 

Parker, David, from Westford, came to this town more than fifty 
years ago, and settled here as a physician. He m. Eliza Sawin ; 
their ch. were: 1. Lucy, b. April 14, 1835, m. Mr. Perkins. 2. 
Eliza, b. Aug. 19, 1837, d. Sept. 13, 1841. 3. Horace P\, b. 
Aug. 13, 1839, m. Mary Travers. His second wife was Sarah 
Scollay, who had one child named Eliza, b. Nov. 29, 1845, m. 
Frank Smith. 

Page, Jonathan, m. Tamar ; their ch. were: 1. Jonathan. 

2. Hannah. 3. Tamar. 4. Oilman, b. June 4, 1812. 5. Eliza- 
beth G., b. Dec. 7, 1814. 6. Zimri, b. Aug. 27, 1817. 

Payson, Joseph, from Framingham, one of the first inhabitants, was a 
farmer in the east part of the town, where his grandson, Joseph P. 
Howe, now lives. He m. Mary Hill; their ch. were: 1. Mary, 
b. Apr. 6, 1774, m. Samuel Foster. 2. Susanna, b. July 7, 1779, 
m. Ezekiel Howe. 3. Eleanor, b. July 29, 1782, m. Uriah Clapp. 



HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 373 

Mr. Payson was one of the company that held a tea party in Bos- 
ton Harbor, just before the commencennent of the Revolutionary 
War. 

Penniman, Ezra, from Braintree, was a farmer in the west part of the 
town, where Asa T. Greenwood now lives. He m. Lovisa Eager ; 
their ch. were: 1. Lovisa, m. Uriah Mei-ritt. 2. Abigail, m. 
Isaiah Howe. 3. Benjamin. 4. Sarah, m. Jesse Hill. 5. Mary, 
m. Bartholomew Cheevers. 6. Betsey, d. 7. Susan, m. Increase 

5. Merritt. 8. Tabitha, ra. Granville Williams. 

Perley, Allen, from Ward, now Auburn, was a farmer, living where 
John Stacy now lives. He was one of the first settlers. He m. 
Juda Chase ; their ch. were: 1. Susanna, b. Apr. 9, 1780, m. 
Mr. Marsh. 2. Allen, b. Aug. 24, 1782. 3. Sally, b. Dec. 14, 
1784. 4. David, b. Apr. 10, 1786. 5. Anna, b. Aug. 19, 1795. 

6. Asa, b. Oct. 4, 1797. 

Perley, Allen, Jr., s. of Allen, m. Anna Greenwood ; their ch. were : 
1. Martha, b. Jan. 16, 1809. 2. Sylvia, b. June 19, 1810. 3. 
Elizabeth, b. Jan. 30, 1814, m. Cephas Phinney. Mr. Perley died 
Mar. 25, 1844. Mrs. Perley died Mar. 6, 1844. 

Perley, David, s. of Allen, m. Miriam Partridge; their ch. were: 
1. Elmina, b. June 23, 1809. 2. Anna, b. Aug. 20, 1811, m. 
Mr. Howard. 3. Thuseba, b. Nov. 21, 1813, m, John S. Crosby. 
Her second husband was Augustus Bigelow. 4. Hannah B., b. 
Nov. 1, 1816, m. F. D. Nichols. 5. David, b. Mar. 6, 1819, m. 
Susan E. Mann. 6, Mary Ann, b. Apr. 12, 1821. 7. Asa, b. 
Aug. 27, 1825, m. Harriet E. Smith. 8 and 9. Adam and Hiram, 
(twins) b. Apr. 11, 1827, d. 10. Henry P., b. Feb. 23, 1828, m. 
Cynthia Hunting. 11. Caroline, b. June 25, 1830, m. Edwin 
Rice. 

Perley, Asa, s. of Allen, m. Mary Kendall ; their ch. were : 1. Mary 
E , b. May 5, 1822, m. John Nichols. 2. Asa P., b, June 4, 1824, 

m. Miss Austin. 3. Charles A., b. Sept. 15, 1826, m. 

Whitney. 4. William P., b. Apr. 2, 1829. 5. George A., b. 
July 8, 1831. 6. James M., b. Feb. 26, 1834. 7. Francis W., 
b. May 4, 1836. 8. Theophilus P., b. Nov. 12, 1838. 9. Lean- 
der A., b. June 19, 1841. 10. Lewis F., b. June 17, 1844. 11. 
Ellen M., b. Sept. 10, 1846. 



374 HISTORY OF GAIWJSTUB. 

Pkabody, William, m. Mary Stevens; their ch. were: 1. William 
T., b. Feb. 21, 1820, ni. Hannah Howe, d. Sept. 2, 18G4. 2. 
John H., b. 3Iar. 22, 1822, m. Mary M. Lynde. 3. Mary A., b. 
1824, m. Edwin O. Gibson, d. in Pittsburg, Pa. 4. George C.,b. 
1826, d. 1829. 5. George F., b. Jan. 11, 1832, m. Octavia A. 
Lynde. 6. Charles F., b. 1834, m. Elizabeth Delany. d. 1855. 
7. Eliza J., b 1836, m. Sumner P. Whitney. 

Phillips, John, m. Roxa Bancroft; their ch. were: 1. Warren, b. 
Nov. 18, 1806, d. Sept. 3, 1808. 2. Eliza, b. Jan. 4, 1809. 3. 
Caroline, b. Sept. 19, 1810, m. Dea. Foskett. 4. Warren, b. 
Aug. 17, 1813, m. Mcxry Parker. 5. Polly B., b. July 19, 1815, 
d. July 4, 1816. 

Phinnet, Cephas M., m. Elizabeth Perley ; their ch. were: 1. Mar- 
cellus P., b. July 1, 1838. 2. Martha E., b. Aug. 23, 1840. 3. 

Sylvianna, b. Aug. 13, 1842. 4. , b. Dec. 25, 1844. 5. 

Mary J., b. Dec. 28, 1846. 

PiEKCE, John, m. Lucy ; their ch. were : 1. Nathan, b. Aug. 

19, 1788. 2. Lucy, b. Dec. 8, 1790. 3. Peter, b. Sept. 9, 1792. 
4. Abigail, b. July 28, 1795. 5. John, b. June 21. 1799. 6. 
Susanna, b. Feb. 17, 1802. 

Pierce, Jonas, m. Martha Edgell ; their ch. were: 1. Calvin, b. 

- July 7, 1833. 2. Catherine, b. Aug. 12, 1836, d. Dec. 9, 1837. 

His second wife w^as Sarah M. (Fletcher) Nichols ; they had one 

child named Erastus N., b. June 11, 1840. His third wife was 

Betsey F. Styles. 

Pierce, Josiah, m. Polly ; their ch. Avere : 1. Harvey L., b. 

Oct. 22, 1837. 2. Oliver N., b. July 29, 1839. 

Powers, Robert, m. ; their ch. were: 1. Joseph, b. Sept. 

27, 1812. 2. Emeline, b. Apr. 23, 1816. 4. John, b. May 12, 
1818. Mr. Powers had several children previous to his moving 
into this town, but we have no record of them. 

Powers, Robert, Jr., s. of Robert, m. Annis Kendall ; their ch. were : 
1. Frederic W., b. Dec. 3, 1830. 2. Mary S., b. July 30, 1832, 
d. Oct. 21, 1843. 3. Adeline K., b. Apr. 17, 1834. 4. Martin 
K., b. Feb. 1, 1837. 5. Prudence E., b. May 16, 1840. 



HISTORY OF GABDNEli. 375 

Pratt, Ephraim, came into town about 1775, and located in the south- 
east part ; his ch. were: 1. Aaron. 2. Miriam, m. Joseph Simonds. 
His age, when he died, was 84 years. 

Pratt, Aaron, s. of Ephraim, m. Betsey ; their ch. Avere : 

I. Aaron, b. Apr. 22, 1798. 2. Betsey, b. Nov. 16, 1799. 3. 
Mercy, b. Aug. 23, 1802, 4. John, b, Aug. 2, 1804. 5. Lovisa, 
b. Jan. 6, 1807. 6. Susanna, b. Feb. 6, 1809. 7. William, b, 
Jan. 2, 1811. 8. Russel, b. Nov. 18,1812. Mr. Pratt died in 
1812. 

Pratt, William, s. of Aaron 2d, m. Sarah Matthews ; their ch. were : 
1. Aaron, b. Nov. 9,1832. 2. Otis, b. Dec. 18, 1833. S.Sally, 
b. Nov. 13, 1835, 4. Joel, b. Jan. 12, 1840. 5. William, b. 
Apr. 9, 1842. 6. Walter. 7. Eliza. 

Priest, Joseph, one of the first settlers, located in the west part of the 
town, where Nahuni Wallace now lives. He m. Patience Stiles ; 
their ch. were: 1. Levi, m. Hannah Woodbuiy. 2. Joseph. 3. 
Lucy, b. Aug. 2, 1789. 4. Jacob, b. July 28, 1791. 5. Betsey, 
b. Sept. 17, 1800, m. Elbridge Leland. 6. Caleb, b. June 30, 
1804. 

Priest, Levi, s. of Joseph, m. Hannah Woodbury ; their ch. were : 1. 
LevlW., b. May 22, 1813. 2. Francis D.,b. June 19, 1815. 

3. Nancy, b. Jan. 26, 1817. 4. Joseph. 5. Milo. His second 
wife was Prudence Hyde. 

Priest, Jacob, s. of Joseph, m. Patty Clark ; their ch. were : Joseph, 
Jacob W., Mary, Martha, Betsy, Lucy, Eliza and Harriet. 

Priest, Caleb, s. of Joseph, m. Louisa Gage; their ch. were: 1. 
Lorenzo S., b. Apr. 20, 1827. 2. Caleb A., b. Dec. 4, 1829, 3. 
Julius W,, b. Sept. 9, 1832. 4. George B., b. Mar, 27, 1834. 
5, Calvin M., b. Jan. 9, 1838. 6. Francis O., b. June 4, 1841. 
7. Nancy L., b. Mar. 12, 1847, d. Dec. 15, 1861. 

Putnam, John, from Danveis, Avas an early settler in the east part of 
the town. He m. Anna Penniman ; their ch. were: 1. John, b. 
July 21, 1794, d. Feb. 25, 1813. 2. Amasa, b. May 6, 1796, m. 
Mary Temple. 3. Nancy, b. June 3, 1798, ra. Joseph Whitney. 

4. Elijah, b. Mar. 11, 1801, m. Elmira Bancroft. 5. William, b, 
Oct, 5, 1804, m, Mary Ann Flood, Mr. Putnam died at the 
a^e of 77. 



376 HISTORY OF GARDNEB. 

Putnam, Amasa, s. of John, m. Mary Temple; their ch. were: 1. 
Amasa, b, June 26, 1818, d. Sept. 6, 1836. 2. Mary T., b. Feb. 
18, 1821, m. Sumner J. Simonds. 3. Lucy, b. Dec. 3, 1822, m. 
Levi H. Sawin. 4. Martha B., b. Nov. 13, 1824, m. Augustus 
Knowlton, 5. Nancy, b. June 12, 1827, m. William E. Marsh. 
6. Sarah W., b. July 16, 1831, m. Amasa Merritt. 7. Betsey H., 
b. Aug. 7, 1834, m. Lewis Bebee. 

Putnam, Elijah, s. of John, m. Ehnira Bancroft; their ch. were: 1, 
Mary, b. Dec. 26, 1826, d. Mar. 23, 1844. 2. Viola, b. Aug. 17, 
1833, d. July 18, 1849. 3. William, b. June 23, 1836, m. Olive 
Wetherbee. 

Prescott, Jonathan, from Lancaster, m. Euth, dau. of John Glazier; 
their ch. were: Jonathan, Bushrod W., Elizabeth, William, 
George and Ruth Ann. Mr. Prescott was the first merchant in 
Gardner. He built the house and lived, where Francis Richardson 
now resides, and was Town Clerk in 1 794-5 and 6. In 1799 he moved 
to Boston, where he was appointed constable, which office he held 
during life. He died in 1852, aged 92. For the last few years of 
his life he was unable to attend regularly at court, yet he annually 
received tlie appointment and drew the pay, out of respect for his 
long service. 

Phescott, Bushrod W., s. of Jonathan, m. Melinda Wiswal ; their ch. 
were: 1. Mary W., b. Aug. 8, 1825, d. June 22, 1842. 2. SarahG., 
b. Feb. 28, 1827. 3. Ruth, ]?■ May 18, 1829, d. Mar. 15, 1845. 4. 
Jonathan H., b. Mar. 1, 1831, d. June 9, 1844. 5. Elizabeth, b. 
Apr. 10, 1833. 6. Nancy, b. Feb. 17, 1837. 

Ray, Heman, m. Lydia Richardson ; their ch. were: 1. Elizabeth, b. 
June 1, 1829, m. Cephas B. Stevens. 2. Sarah G., b. July 9, 
1831, m. Asa T. Greenwood. 3. Seth, b. May 24, 1835, m. Sarah 
Ostrum. 4. Martha O., b. Sept. 11, 1840, m. Theophilus Wood. 
5. Henry E., b. June 10, 1845. 

Ray, Asa, m. Susanna Gates ; their ch. were : 1. Newell, b. Aug. 21, 
1818. 2. Asaph, b. Oct. 5, 1825. 3. Susan, b. Mar. 10, 1832. 
4. Adaline, b. Jan. 18, 1834. 5. Lyman, b. June 11, 1837. 6. 
Eliza, b. Dec. 3, 1838, d. July 27, 1840. 7. Mary E., b. Oct. 19, 
1841. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 377 

Ray, Amos, m. Sally Kemp; their ch. were: 1, Eliza Ann, ra. 
Samuel G. Gates. 2, Sarah M., m. David Howe. 3. Elvira, b. 
July 3, 1828, m. James Priest. 4. Charles H., b. July 21, 1830. 
His second wife was Hephzibah Garfield, who had one child named 
Lucy G., b. July 4, 1837. 

Ray, Almond, m. Olive Kemp ; their ch. were : 1. Malvina 2. Lu- 
cy Ann, b. June, 22, 1832. 3. Harriet. 4. Elmira, b. June 26, 
1837. 5. Jane, b. Mar. 7, 1852. 

Ray, Newell, s. of Asa, m. Elvira W. ; their ch. were : 1. New- 
ell E., b. Mar. 5, 1843. 2. Maria A., b. Jan. 15, 1845. 3. De- 
wit Clinton, b. Apr. 2, 1846. 4. Dolly, b. July 6, 1848. 

Reed, David, from Stowe, one of the fii-st settlers, was a farmer in the 
east part of the town. He m. Naomi Wright ; their ch. were : 1. 
Abram. 2. Asa, b. June 18, 1789, d. 3. David, b. Feb. 13, 
1793. 4. Asa, b. Aug. 12, 1795. 

Reed, David, s. of David, m. Polly Smith ; their ch. were : 1. David 
A., b. Oct. 25, 1819, d. Nov. 4. 1819. 2. David J., b. Aug. 26, 
1821. 3. Mary N., b. Sept. 16, 1824. 

Reed, Asa, s. of David 1st, m. Rhoda Brooks; their ch. were: 1. 
Mary Ann, b. June 4, 1821. 2. Rhoda E., b. Mar. 31, 1824. 3. 
David W., b. Nov. 6, 1826. 

Richardson, Jonas, one of the first settlers, located in the east part of 
the town ; their ch. were: 1. Azubah, m. Benjamin Pierce. 2., 
Abel, m. Sarah Lincoln. His second wife was Mrs. Whitcomb. 
3. Mary, m. Benjamin Hill. 4. Betsey, m. Jonathan Currier. 5. 
Persis. 6. Hattie, m. Daniel Currier. 7. Jonas, m. Abigail Cur- 
rier. 8. Asa, b. Feb. 6, 1784, m. Elizabeth Glazier. 9. Nathan, 
b. July 26, 1785. His second wife was Lydia Woodbury; they 
had one child named Levi, b. April 4, 1801, ra. Lovisa Pratt. Mr. 
Richardson d. in 1815, aged 72. 

Richardson, Asa, s. of Jonas, m. Elizabeth Glazier ; their ch. were : 
1, Lydia, b. Dec. 16, 1809, m. Heman Ray. 2. Elizabeth, b. 
Feb. 23, 1812, d. Jan 31, 1814. 3. Francis, b. Feb. 17, 1814. 4. 
Lucy, b. April 13, 1816, m. William Austin. 5. Jonas, b. Dec. 
30, 1817, d. in 1839. 6. Persis. b. Nov. 5, 1819, d. Nov. 16, 
1819. 7. Isaac, b. Dec. 26, 1820, d. July 30, 1841. 

4« 



378 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Richardson, Jonas, s. of Jonas 1st, m. Abigail Currier; their ch. 

were: 1. Mary Jane, b. May 27, 1808. 2. Betsey, b. Jan. 23, 

1811, d. Apr. 8, 1811. 3. Charles, b. Oct. 21, 1812. 4. Abel, b. 

Mar. 31, 1815. 
Richardson, Nathan, s. of Jonas 1st, m. Sophia Boutelle ; their ch. 

were: 1. Thomas B., b. Oct. 28, 1818, d. Mar. 14, 1819. 2. 

Louisa B. 3. Charles. 4. Loenza B. 5. Henry H. 6. Jonas. 

7. Sarah S. 
Richardson, Francis, s. of Asa, m. Belinda Fletcher ; their ch. were : 

1. Sarah E., b. Aug. 7, 1839. 2. Frederic, b. May 3, 1841. 3. 

Lucy A., b. Mar. 28, 1843, m. Frederic Turney. Ilis second wife was 

Eliza (Cutler) Wood; their ch. were: 1. Francis C, b. June 

29, 1846, d. Dec. 25, 1847. 2. Charles F., b. July 8, 1849, m. 

Emma Hill. 
Robbins, Nathan, m. Nancy Bickford ; they had one child named 

George E., b. Feb. 2, 1842. 

Ross, Phineas, m. Betsey Marshall; their ch. were: 1. Esther, b. 
Aug. 13, 1816, d. Mar. 29, 1876. 2. Phineas M., b. Aug 1, 
1818. 3. Almeda, b.Nov. 30, 1821. 4. Betsey, b. Dec. 6, 1823, 
d. Aug. 14, 1825. 5. Robinson, b. May 17, 1826, d. Aug. 20, 
1877. 6. William, b. Sept. 16, 1828. 7. A. Hastings, b. Apr. 
28, 1831. 8. George P., b. May 9, 1833. 9. Alvah W., b. 
May 21, 1834, d. July 7, 1837. 

Saunders, Samuel, from Ashby, one of the first settlers, located in the 

southeast part of the town, was a farmer. He m. Lydia Boynton ; 

their ch. were: 1 and 2. Lydia and Sarah, (twins) Lydia m. 

Philemon Stacy, whose ch. were: John, Philemon and Joseph. Her 

second husband was William Fortiner. Sarah, ni. Whitman Austin. 

3. Abigail, m. Jonas Shepard. 4. Patience, m. Oliver Clark. 

5. Ruth, m. Isaac Holbrook. 6. Lucy, m. Asa Fairbank. 7. 

Samuel, m. Rachel Turner, whose ch. were: Rachel, Jolin, Joseph 

and Samuel. 8. Moses, m. Sarah Underwood. 9. Jonas, m. 

Hannah Trask. 10. Aaron, m. Sarah Gragg. 11. Abram, m. 

Betsey Trask. 
Saunders, Moses, s. of Samuel, m. Sarah Underwood ; their ch. were: 

1. Betsey, b. Feb. 1, 1798, d. Oct. 3, 1803. 2. Cynthia, b. Jan. 

16, 1800, d. Oct. 3, 1803. 3. Amos U., b. Mar. 20, 1802, d. 

Dec. 12,1803. 4. Willard, b. Mar. 11, 1804. 5. Maria, b. Dec. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 379 

26, 1805. 6. Franklin, b. Jan. 17, 1808, 7. Eunice, b. Dec. 9, 
1809, m. William Barrett. 8. Amos, b. Nov. 22, 1812. 9. 

Isaac, b. Mar. 30, 1815, m. Eleanor . 10. Jacob W., b. 

Ang 7, 1817. 11. Joseph L., b. Apr. 6, 1821. 

Saunders, Willard, s. of Moses, m. ; their ch. were : 

I. Mary, b. Oct. 20, 1838. 2. Henry A. C, b. Aug. 28, 1811. 
3 Eliza J., b. May 17, 1844. 4. Ira L., b. Sept. 1, 1849, d. 
May 16, 1852. 

Sawin, Benjamin, from Westminster, an early settler, m. Lucy Laws ; 
their ch. were : 1. Lucy, b. Apr. 8, 1795 2. Benjamin, b. Feb. 

27, 1797. He left town after a few years. 

Sawin, Samuel, m. Martha Heywood, dau. of Seth and Mary (Tem- 
ple) Heywood ; their ch. were: 1. Samuel W., b. Feb. 19, 
1801, d. Jan. 27, 1823. 2. Eliza A., b Feb. 25, 1807, m. Mr. 
Houghton. 3 John H., b. Oct. 13, 1812. 4. Levi H., b. Nov. 

II, 1816. 

Sawin, Levi H., s. of Samuel, m. Lucy Putnam; their ch. were: 1. 
Helen, b. Sept. 17, 1842, m. Reuben A. Twichell. 2. Alice, b. 
Sept. 18, 1844, m. Charles H. Greenwood. 3. Mary, b. Nov. 20, 
1847, m. Mr. Washburn. 4. Edward H., b. Feb. 25, 1849. 5. 
Lucy, b. July 15, 1853. 6. Clifford H., b. June 25, 1855. 

Sawin, Jonathan, m. Mary Ann ; they had one child whose 

name was Rozina Almina, b. Mar. 4, 1842. 

Sawin, Luke, m. Clarissa Lane; their ch. were: 1. Mary G., b. 
June 8, 1827, d. Aug. 7, 1829. 2. Maria, b. Jan. 15, 1829. 3. 
Otis F., b. June 15, 1831, d. Dec. 25, 1833. 4. Mary G., b. 
May 14, 1833. 

Sawin, Joseph D., m. Marcia Scribner ; their ch. were : 1. Myra A., 
b. July 12, 1832, m. John M. Moore. 2. Otis D., b. Apr. 17, 
1834, m. Miss Comee. 3. Sarah W., b. July 3, 1836. 4. Lin- 
coln L., b. June 18, 1838, m. Miss Fenno. 5. Maxy Ann, b. 
Oct. 22, 1843, m. Mr. Allen. 6. Cora L., b. Jan. 17, 1850. 

Sawin, Eli G., m. Tabitha Bickford ; they had one child named Smyr- 
na, b. Apr. 21, 1836. 

Sawyer, Jude, from Lancaster, one of the first settlers, located in the 
south part of the town, Avhere Ezekiel Gates now lives. He was a 



380 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

farmer and blacksmith, and was noted for making steel traps. He 
made one after he was ninety years of age. He m. Phebe Keyes ; 
they had no children. Mr. Sawyer died in 1843, aged 93. 

ScOLLAY, James, m. Dolly Corey ; their eh. were : 1. Dolly, b. Nov. 

8, 1808, m. Amasa Whitney. 2. Sarah, b. Sept. 10, 1810, m. 
Dr. David Parker. 3. James, b. Mar. 26, 1812, m. Lucy M. 
Youug. 4. Charles, b. Jan. 8, 1814, m. Elizabeth Garfield. 5. 
Lucy, b. Aug. 26, 1816. m. Alfred II. Brick. 6. Ezra, b. Apr. 

9, 1821, d. Nov. 26, 1841. 

SiMONDS, Elijah, came to this town about 1772, from Shirlej', and 

located in the south part. He m. Abigail ; their ch. were : 

1. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 7, 1774, d. June 29, 1776. 2. Elijah, b 
Jan. 28, 1777, d. Sept. 10, 1777. 3. Elijah, b. Nov. 14, 1778, 
m. Persis Richardson. 4. Jonathan, b Dec. 9, 1780. 5. Ezekiel, 
b. Feb. 25, 1783. 6, David, b. Mar. 4, 1786. 7. Abigail, b. 
July 11, 1788, d. Aug. 5, 1791. 8. Asa, b. Nov. 7, 1790. 9. 
Abigail, b. Aug. 5, 1793. 10. Lucy, b. Nov. 11, 1797. 

SiMONDS, Joseph, from Boston, was a soldier in the Revolutionary "War, 

and noted for his bravery. He m. Miriam Pratt ; they had no 

children. 
SiMONDS, Elijah, s. of Elijah, m. Persis Richardson ; their ch. were: 

1. Mary. 2. Asa R., b. Feb. 6, 1812. 3. Sumner J., b. Feb. 13, 

1817. 
SiMONDS, Sumner, J., s. of Elijah 2d, m. Mary Putnam ; their ch. were : 

1 and 2. Amasa and Abel, (twins) b. Oct. 16, 1837. Amasa d. 

Nov. 23, 1838. 3. Lucy A., b. Oct. 19,1839. 4. Georgianna, 

b. Feb. 23, 1841. 5. Mary G., b. June 26, 1848. 

Seaver, Ethan, from Westminster, Avas a farmer in the east part of 

the town. He m. Lydia — '■ ; their ch. Avere : 1. Luther, b. 

Mar. 4, 1794, m. Eunice Holden. 2. Lydia, b. May 7, 1798, m. 
Mr. Bancroft. 3. Aaron, b. Feb. 12, 1800, m. Louisa Fairbank. 

Seaver, Luther, s. of Ethan, m. Eunice Holden ; their ch. were: 1. 
Sarah H., b. May 22, 1825. 2. Luther, b. Aug. 1, 1829. 3. Mary 
B., b. Sept. 10, 1831. 4. John H., b. Aug. 1, 1835. 

Seaver, Aaron, s. of Ethan, m. Louisa Fairbauk ; their ch. were : 
1. Abigail, b. Apr. 30, 1832. 2. Fanny, b. Apr. 24, 1834. 3. 
Joseph, b. Sept. 11, 1835. 4. Lucy, b. Jan. 11, 1842. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 381 

Stearns, Otis, m. Lucy ; they had one child named George 

Otis, b. Aug, 3, ISIO, Mr. Stearns was a merchant in the South 
Village a few years. 

Stearns, James C, m. Mary Partridge ; their ch. were: 1. Euphelia 
A., b. Feb. 2, 1842. 2. , b. Mar. 2, 1846. 

Stoddard, Bartlett, m. Miriam Kendall; their ch. were: 1. Bart- 
lett, b. June 22, 1817. 2. Nancy K., b. Oct. 3, 1820, d. Nov. 25, 
1820. 

Stone, Simon, from Templeton, was a farmer and had a saw mill, the 
one now owned by Dr. Parker. He m. Rhoda Stone; their ch. 
were : 1. Rhoda, b. Feb. 29, 1796. 2. Simon, b. Feb. 19, 1800. 
His second wife was Miss Boynton, who had one child named Jo- 
seph W., b. Aug. 22, 1811. His third wife was Keziah Kendall. 

Stone, Samuel, from Groton, was one of the first settlers. He pur- 
chased a lot of wild land in the north part of the town, (then Win- 
chfindou) previous to 1770, the same that is now owned and used 
by the town for a town farm. He m. Martha Wilder ; their ch. 
were : 1. Eunice, m. Israel Stone. 2. Samuel, m. Susan Haynes. 
3. Joseph, m. Miss Stiles. 4. Josiah, m. Eunice Haynes. 5. 
Martha, b. Dec. 26, 1786. 6 and 7. Benjamin and Oliver, (twins) 
b. Jan. 20, 1789. 8. Mary, b. Feb. 28, 1791, m. Jonas Patch. 
9. Abram, b. Dec. 29, 1792. 10. Diadamia, b. Mar. 17, 1795, 
m. Joel Walker. 11. Miriam, b. July 13, 1799, m. .Joseph Comce. 
He died in 1831, aged 80. 

Stone, Josiah, m. Maria ; they had one child named Amelia 

Z. P., b. Jan. 26, 1819. 

Stone, Bei^jamin, s. of Samuel, m. Lucy Wheeler ; their ch. were: 1. 
Leonard, b. Aug. 31, 1815, d. Sept. 12, 1818. 2. Ai, b. Aug. 
25, 1817, m. Miss Hadley. 3. Calvin, b. Nov. 28, 1819, d. 4. 
Albert, b. June 31, 1822. 5. Leonard, b. Mar. 3, 1825. 6. Sam- 
son, b. May 18, 1827. 7. Lucy, b. Jan. 28, 1831, m. Charles H. 
Lovewell. 8. Judson, b. .July 26, 1834. 

Stone, Abram, s. of Samuel, m. Abigail Barrel; their ch were: 1. 
Abigail, b. July 26, 1822. 2. Lydia, b. Oct. 24, 1824. 3. Mary, 
b. Aug. 19, 1832. 4. Abram, b. Sept. 15, 1834. 5. Fanny, b. 
July 2, 1837. 



382 HISTOEY OF GARDNER. 

Stone, William B., was a Congregational minister in this town eight 
years. He m. Phebe Robinson; their ch. were: 1. An infant 
son, b. Apr. 21, 1843, d. same day. 2. Francis B., b. June 14, 
1844. 3. Phebe A., b. May 26, 1849. His second wife was 
Samantha Robinson. 

Smith, Asa, m. Rhoda Foster, who had one child named Asa F., b. Oct. 
20, 1821, m. Fidelia Jackson. The mother died Oct. 30, 1821. 

Smith, Charles W., m. Sarah Wood; their ch. were: 1. Sarah A., 
b. Sept. 11, 1837. 2. Margaret M., b. Oct 15, 1839. 3. Charles 
W., b. Mar. 14, 1842. 

Spaulding, Daniel, m. Lucinda ; their ch. were: 1. Mary 

E., b. Oct. 11, 1822. 2. Jared P.,b. July 29, 1825. Mr. Spauld- 
ing came from Fitzwilliam to this town about 1821. He was a 
merchant in the Centre of the town, and an active and influential 
citizen for the six or seven years he lived here. He i*eturned to 
Fitzwilliam, where he is now living at an advanced age. 

Stimson, Mirick, from Ashburnham, was a merchant in the South Vil- 
lage. He m. Sarah ; they had one child while living in this 

town, named Charles, b. Sept. 4, 1837. Mr. Stimson moved back 
to Ashburnham where he now lives. 

Shumway, Nehemiah, m. Matilda Bolton ; their ch. were: 1. Caro- 
line A., b. Feb. 5, 1817, m. Amasa Bancroft. She d. Sept. 12, 
1858. 2. Charles A., b. Apr. 27, 1818, m. Adeline Davis. 3. 
Almira M., b. Apr. 17 1820, d. Sept. 23, 1828. 4. Albert A., 
b. Jan. 7, 1824, d. Oct. 30, 1848. 5. Edwin E., b. Aug. 14, 
1826, d. Sept. 5, 1838. 6. Handel M., b. Mar. 27, 1828, m. 
Martha Underwood. 

Temple, Ephraim, came from Shrewsbury about the year 1771. He 
located at first on the summit of Beamau Hill, on the north side 
of Crystal Lake, an old cellar still marking the spot. He subse- 
quently built a house where his grandson, Seth H. Temple, now 
lives. It may not be amiss to relate an incident, which the writer 
has heard from the lips of one of the parties interested, (Mr. Josiah 
AVilder), to show the trouble and inconvenience which the first 
settlers experienced in consequence of the depredations of bears, 
which were very common at that time. After Mr. Temple had 
cleared a few acres of land around his house, he discovered that 



HISTOR Y OF GARDJSTER. 383 

the bears were making havoc in his cornfiehl, by breaking off the 
ears and appropriating them to their own use. He immediately 
notified Mr. Wilder, who lived then, where Leander Knowlton now 
lives, whereupon Mr. W. took his steel trap and proceeded to the 
cornfield of Mr. Temple, and set it for the detention of Bruin, 
should he again attempt to forage in said cornfield. The next morn- 
ing Mr. Temple found not Bruin, but an offspring of Mrs. Bruin, 
caught in the trap. Word was sent to Mr. Wilder, who soon ar- 
rived, and, comprehending the situation, resolved he would have 
the old lady also. Accordingly he sent for Mr. Gideon Fisher, 
another neighbor, living about a mile to the north, a regular " Nim- 
rod," to come with his dogs and gun. Upon the arrival of Mr. 
Fisher, Mr. Wilder proceeded to cuft' the ears of the cub with a 
switch, which made it cry lustily. In a very short time the mother 
bear made her appearance in the clearing, whereupon Mr. Fisher 
lodged a ball from his gun in her head, thus securing both bear and 
cub. He m. Elizabeth, dau, of Jacob Hinds of Shrewsbury. His 
second wife was Mary Farrar ; their ch. were: 1. Francis, who 
was drowned, on his way home from Maine, in consequence of 
being cast away in a storm off the coast of Rye, N. H. 2. Isaac, 
m. Elizabeth Houghton. 3. Ephraim, m. Sybil'Ilay. 4 I^zra ; it 
is supposed that he died in the army. 5. Ahio, m. Elizabeth, dau. 
of Seth and Mary (Temple) Heywood. 6. Loammi. Mr. Temple 
died iu West Boylston in 1789, aged 62. 

Temple, Ephraim, s. of Ephraim, m. Sybil Ray; their ch. were: 1. 
Polly, b. Mar. 1, 1789, m. Isaiah Warren. 2. Asa, b. June 8, 
1791, d. Nov. 9, 1794. 3. Nancy, b. Sept. 6, 1796, m. Jabez 
Fairbanks. 4. Phebe, b. Mar. 7, 1802, m. Levi Holden. Mr. 
Temple was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 

Temple, Ahio, s. of Elphraim 1st, m. Betsey, dau. of Seth and Mary 
Heywood; their ch. were: 1. Martha, b. Mar. 31, 1791, m. 
Joseph Barker. 2. Betsey, b. Jan. 25, 179-3, m. Charles Green- 
wood. 3. Francis, b. Jan. 18, 1795, d. Jan. 3, 1801. 4. Mary, 
b. June 12, 1797, m. Amasa Putnam. 5. Ahio, b. Aug. 1, 1799, 
d. Mar. 19. 1800. 6. Asa, b. Feb. 13, 1801, m. Susan Conant. 
7. Seth H., b. Feb. 10, 1803, m. Phebe Jackson. 8. Lucy, b, 
Oct. 23, 1805, d. Dec. 18, 1805. 

Temple, Asa, s. of Ahio, m. Susan Conant ; their ch. were : 1. Eliza- 
beth H., b. Sept. 3, 1823, m. Orin P. Stiles. 2. Christopher C, 
b. Jan. 15, 1826, m. Emily Edgell. 



384 HI8T0RY OF GAIWJSrUIi. 

Temple, Seth H., s. of Ahio, m. Phebe Jackson ; tlieir ch, were : 1. 
Lucy, b. Apr. 15, 1827, m. Maro Collester. 2. Asa, b. Feb. 23, 
1829, m. Mary Church. 3. Eliza, b. June 6, 1831, m. Joel Cowee. 
4. Charles, b. Apr. 27, 1834, d. Sept. 16, 1835. 5. Martha, b. 
Oct. 22, 183G, m. Henry Heywood. 6. Charles, b. Nov. 13, 1841, 
d. Oct. 8, 1847. 

Temple, Aaron, m. ; their ch. were: 1. Betsey. 2. 

Jason. 3. Rebecca, b. Mar. 23, 1809. 4. Anna, b. May 25, 
1813. 

Temple, Abram, m- Casendana Bickford ; their ch. were : 1. Francis 
H., b. Aug. 18, 1839, d. Dec. 12, 1839. 2. Ellen M., b. Aug. 
15, 1841. 

Travers, Elijah, m. Betsey Martin ; their ch. were: 1. George M., 
m. Martha Learned. 2. Lydia P., m. David P. Bickford. 3. 
Charles S., b. Feb. 26, 1814, m. Roxa Baker. 4. Fidelia W., b. 
Nov. 12, 1816, m. Ransom Bolton. 5. Betsey L. L., b. Jan. 11, 
1819, m. Wardon B. Howe 6. Sarah S., b. Feb. 26, 1822. 7. 
Horace P., b. Dec. 1, 1824. 8. Elijah C, b. Sept. 21, 1826, m. 
Diantha Williams 9. Otis A., b. Dec. 6, 1829. 

Travers, Geowge M., s. of Elijah, m. Martha Learned; their ch. 
were: 1. Martha E., b. Jan. 15, 1833, m. William B. Durgan. 
2. Mary, b. Feb. 26, 1842, m. Horace F. Packer. 

Travers, Charles S., s. of Elijah, m. Roxa Baker; they had one 
child while living in this town named Charles S., b. Nov. 1, 1841. 

Trask, Nathaniel, m. Millie Eaton ; their ch. were: 1. Betsey B., 
b. Dec. 5, 1819. 2. Nathaniel, b. Aug. 2, 1821, d. same day. 3. 
William, b. Aug. 6, 1822, d. Aug. 7, 1822. 

Turner, Avery, m. ; their ch. were: 1. Edward, b. 

Oct. 25, 1822. 2. Samuel, b. Sept. 6, 1825. 3. Eliza Ann, b. 
Aug. 17, 1827. 4. Asa, b. Feb. 24, 1830. 5. Susan, b. Apr. 
30, 1833. Mr. Turner moved to Quincy, 111., where he died in 
1877 at an advanced age. 

Wallsbury, Charles F., m. Mary , their ch. were: 1. Geo. 

W., b. Dec. 26,- 1836, at St. Joseph, Mich. 2. Catherine S., b. 
Nov. 17, 1838. 3. Mary Ann, b. Dec. 5, 1840. 4. Frances, b. 
Apr. 30, 1844. 



H18T0EY OF GARDNER. 385 

Wallace, Merrick, m. Fanny Baker ; their ch. were : 1. Merrick W., 
b. Dec. 18, 1831. 2. Ellen R., b. May 20, 1843. 

Wallace, Nahum, m. Hannah Bennett ; their ch. were : 1. Ann M., 
b. Aug. 7, 1835. 2. John W., b. Mar. 19, 1837. 3. Mary, b. 
Dec. 3, 1838, m. Asaph B. AVhitney. 4. Adelaide A., b. May 21, 
1841, d. Mar. 16, 1842. 5. Albert A., b. Sept. 10, 1846. 6. 
Martha, b. Apr. 1, 1848. 

White, John, from Lexington, was an early settler, aud located on the 
place now owned and occupied by John Brinkman. He m, Ruth 
Holdeu ; their ch. were: 1. Betsey, b. Sept. 21, 1776, m. Wil- 
liam Bickford, Jr. 2. Abigail, b. Apr. 30, 1780, d. 3. John, b. 
May 5, 1782, m. Persis Cowee. 4. Polly, b. Feb. 17, 1784, m. 
John Parker. 5. Augustine, b. Feb. 24, 1786. 6. Abner, b. 
Dec. 10, 1787. 7. Rebecca, b. May 9, 1790. 8. Lucy, b. Oct. 
26, 1792. 9. Abigail, b. Apr. 20, 1796. He died in 1806, aged 59. 

White, John, s. of John, m. Persis Cowee ; their ch. were : 1. John, 
b. Aug. 1, 1804. 2. Louisa, b. Sept. 3, 1805. 3. Horatio N., 
b. Feb. 22, 1809. 4. Abner, b. Oct. 6, 1816, m. Mary Ana 
Conant. 5. Leander, m. Elizabeth (Jackson) Greenwood. 

White, Horatio N., s. of John 1st, m. ; their ch. were : 

1. Horatio W., b. June 30, 1841. His other children w^ere born in 
Templetou. 

White, Abnee, s. of John 1st, m. Mary Ann Conant ; their ch. were : 
1. Lorilla A., b. July 13, 1842, d. Nov. 26, 1842. 2. Frederic 
L., b. Nov. 12, 1848. 

White, Daniel, m. ; there was no record of their 

children, except the last one, whose name was Mary E., b. May 28, 
1841. 

Wheeler, Josiah, from Westminster, one of the first thirty of the 
early settlers, was a farmer in the east part of the town, where 
Asa F. Smith now lives. He was in the French War a short time. 
He m, Lucy Graves ; their ch. were : 1. Priscilla, b. Apr. 2, 1769, 
d. 2. Lucy, b. May 31, 1771, m. Jonathan Whitney. 3. Abi- 
gail, b. Feb. 25, 1773. 4. Dolly, b. May 3, 1775. 5. Patience, 
b. Jan 22, 1778, d. Feb. 6, same year. 6. Richard, b. Aug. 21, 
1779. 7. Josiah, b. Dec. 31, 1781. 8. Betsey, b. Aug. 27, 
1784. 9. Levi, b. July 27, 1786, d. June 25, 1789. 10. Reuben, 
b. Sept. 6, 1788, m. Betsey Nichols. 

49 



386 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Wheeler, Reuben, s. of Josiah, m. Betsey Nichols; their ch. were: 
1. David, b. Jan. 8, 1812. 2. Calviu, b. May 4, 1814. 3. Jo- 
siah M., b. Nov. 20, 1816. 4. Reuben, b. Sept. 25, 1819. 5. 
Elvira, b. Feb. 13, 1823. 6. Charles A., b. Sept. 12, 1826. 

Wheeler, David, s. of Reuben, m. Rozilla ; they had one 

child in this town named William H., b. Mar. 6, 1842. 

Wheeler, Calvin, s. of Reuben, m. Cyrena ; they had one 

child in this town, named Henry Clay, b. July 9, 1839. 

Wheeler, Josiah M., s. of Reuben, m. Maria ; their ch. were : 

1. Luther D., b. Nov. 20, 1844. 2. William W., b. Feb. 15, 
1850. 

Wheeler, Joseph, m. Sarah J. ; their ch. were: 1. Charles 

S., b. Dec. 4, 1843. 2. Albert A., b. Jan. 29, 1845. 

Wheeler, Joel, from Concord, one of the first settlers, located in the 
north part of the town. The place is now owned by his grandson, 
Francis Wheeler. He was a farmer, but had a saw and grist mill. 
He m. Dorcas Stearns; their ch. were: 1. Timothy, b. Dec. 24, 
1781, m. Mary Stearns. 2. Mary, b. Sept. 19, 1786. 3. Lucy, 
b. July 27, 1789, m. Benjamin Stone. 4. Joel, b. Mar. 1, 1792, 
m. Martha Kelton. 5. Betsey, b. Dec. 25, 1794, m. Edward Loud. 

Wheeler, Timothy, s. of Joel, m. Mary Stearns ; their ch. were : 1. 
Stephen, b. Mar. 8, 1811. 2. Timothy, b. Aug. 15, 1813. 

Wheeler, Joel, s. of Joel, m. Martha Kelton; their ch. were: 1. 
Horatio P., b. Oct. 16, 1825, m. Miss Frost. 2. Francis L., b. 
Apr. 24, 1827. 3. Edwin J., b. Mar. 24, 1829, m. Harriet N. 
Whitney. 4. Lucretia A., b. May 14, 1833, d. Nov. 6, 1845. 
His second wife was Lydia Emerson; their ch. were: 1. Betsey 
E., b. Aug. 25, 1.S42. 2. Lucy L., d. 3. Mary L., d. 

Whitcomb, Jonathan P., was an early settler, and a farmer in the east 

part of the town. He m. Tamar ; their ch. were: 1. 

Jonathan, m. P^unice . 2. Aunis. 3. Lucinda. 4. Sul- 
livan. 5. Abram. Mr. Whitcomb left town soon after its organ- 
ization and little is known to us in regard to his family. 

Whitcomb, Jonathan, s. of Jonathan P., m. Eunice ; their 

ch, were: 1. David, b. Aug. 18, 1784, d. Aug. 2G, 1785. 2. 
Eunice, b. June 21, 1786. 3. David, b. June 10, 1788. 4. Isaac, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 387 

b. Mar. 15, 1791, d. June 6, 1796. 5. Mary, b. Oct. 1, 1793. 
6. Thomas, b. Feb. 4, 1797. 

Whitcomb, Joshua, m. Eliza 0. W., dau. of Jonathan and Orange 
(Wardswoi'th) Osgood; their ch. were: 1. Jonathan O., b. May 
21, 1817. 2. Harriet E. 3. Joshua M. 4. Charles W. 

Whitney, Joshua, one of the first settlers, came from Harvard about 
the year 1778, and located in the south part of the town, where his 
grandson, Joshua A. Whitney now lives. He was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War three years. He m. Vashti Knight ; their ch. 
were: 1. Oliver, b. Apr. 28, 1784, m. Rebecca Nichols. 2. 
Joshua, b. Feb. 9, 1786, d. Feb. 16, 1792. 3. Dorcas, b. Jan. 
14, 1798, m. Edmond Nichols, whose ch. were: Joel and Betsey. 
4. Dolly, b. Mar. 28, 1790, d. May 9, 1791. 5. Joseph, b. Mar. 
24, 1792, m. Nancy Sawin. 6. Dolly, b. Sept. 27, 1793, m. Asa 
Holden. 7. Joshua, b. Mar. 24, 1795, d. May 2, 1795. 8. John, 
b. Apr. 21, 1796, m Rachel Osgood. 9. Joel, b. Apr. 13, 1798, 
d. Mar. 15, 1801. 10. Ebeuezer, b. Aug. 1.1800, d. 11. Silas, 
b. Nov. 11, 1804. 12. Mary, b. Dec. 20, 1807, m. John Sawyer. 
Mr. Whitney died in 1812, aged 58. 

Whitney, Joseph, s. of Joshua, m Nancy Sawin ; their ch. were : 1. 
Joshua A., b. Feb. 28, 1814. 2. Fidelia, b. Oct. 11, 1815, m. 
Samuel N. Laws. 3. Asaph B.,b. Aug. 21, 1817, m. Mary Wal- 
lace. 4. Mary Jane, b. Sept. 27, 1819, d. Nov. 3, 1820. 5. 
Marietta, b. July 27, 1821, m. William Learned. 6. Nancy Jane, 
b. Aug. 12, 1823, m. Mr. Young. 7. Abigail M., b. Jan. 20, 
1825, m. Thorley Collester. 8. Joseph L., b. Dec. 17, 1826. 9. 
Harriet N., b. Apr. 15, 1829, m. Edwin J. Wheeler. 10. Mary 
S., b. Feb. 20, 1831, m. John M. Hyde. 11. Frederic, b. Feb. 17, 
1833, m. Miss Merriam. 12. Harvey, b. Sept. 29, 1836. 

Whitney, Levi, m. Rebecca ; their ch. were: 1. Ruth M., 

b. Sept. 3, 1801. 2. Levi W., b. Jan. 11, 1810. 

Whitney, William, m. Anna dau. of Seth and Martha (Temple) 
Heywood ; their ch. were: 1. William, b. Sept. 17, 1791, m. 
Sybil C. Greenwood. 2. Seth, b. Dec. 8, 1792, m. Sally Wood. 
3. Joseph, b. Feb. 28, 1794, m. Nancy Putnam. 4. Althina, 
b. Apr. 3, 1796, m. Richard Baker. 5. Anna, b. Oct. 23, 1797, 
m. Mr. Bruce. 6. Hollis, b. Aug. 11, 1801. 7 and 8. Amasa 
and Lucy, (twins) b. June 19, 1805. Lucy m. Oliver Esty. 



388 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Whitney, William, s. of AVilliam, m. Sybil C. Greenwood ; they had 
one child named Betsey, b. Apr. 16, 1815. Mr. Whitney moved 
to Templeton where he had other children. 

Whitney, Seth, s. of William 1st, m, Sally Wood; their ch. were: 
1. Seth, b. May 25, 1817, d. Aug. 29, 1822. 2. Austin, b. Feb. 
27, 1819, m. Miss Allen. 3. Lucy, b. June 22, 1821, m. Ivers 
Whitney. 4. Webster W., b. Nov. 29, 1824. 5. A twin mate 
who died in infancy. His second wife was Chloe Lincoln ; their 
ch. were: 1. William, b. Feb. 5, 1827. 2. Chloe, b. Oct. 4, 
1828. 3. Sally, b. Nov. 6, 1830. 4. Seth, b. Jan. 30, 1833. 5. 
Mary, b. Jan. 28, 1838, d. Aug. 13, 1838. 

Whitney, Joseph, s. of William 1st, m. Nancy Putnam; their ch. 
were: 1. Ivers, m. Lucy Whitney. His second wife Avas Rhoda 
Adams. 2. Eliza, m. Mr. Peck. 3. Caroline. 

Whitney, Amasa, s. of William 1st, m. Dolly Scollay ; their ch, were: 
1. Charles, b. Sept. 21, 1830, m. Mary Knowlton. 2. James, b. 
Oct. 4, 1830. d. Feb. 16, 1844. His second wife was Lucy Cool- 
idge. 

Whitney, Luke, brother of Wm. 1st, m. Cyntha Partridge; their ch. 
were: 1. Orison, b. Jan. 12, 1806. 2. Thuseba, b. Mar. 19, 
1808, d. Dec. 5, 1813. 3. Luke, b. Feb. 14, 1810, m. Miss 
Wood. 4. Cynthia, b. June 26, 1813, m. Mr. AVatkins. 5. 
Thuseba, b. May 6, 1815, m. Elisha Pierce. 6. WilliaiB, b. Aug. 
30, 1817. 7. Anna, b. Apr. 1, 1819, d. Aug. 10, 1838. 8. Je- 
rome, b. May 6, 1821, d. Aug. 6, 1838. 9. Mary, d. Aug. 1, 
1838. 10. Eliza. 11. Asa. 

Walker, Addison A., m. Susan J. ; they had one child named 

Susan J., b. Apr. 20, 1842. Mrs. Walker died Aug. 21, 1843. 
Mr. Walker moved to Ashburnham, where he is now living. 

Wheeler, John B., m. ; their ch. were: 1. Nathan 

W., b. Oct. 14, 1792. 2. Otis, b. Aug. 11, 1794. 3. Cynthia 
B., b. Apr. 11, 1797. 4. John B., b. Jan. 25, 1799. 5. Asenath, 
b. Aug. 7, 1800. 6. Mary T.,b. Apr. 3, 1802. 7. Benjamin F., 
b. Feb 15, 1804. 

Whitney, Joshua A., s. of Joseph, who was the son of Joshua, m. 
Mehitable ; their ch. were: 1. Julia Ann, b. Aug. 31, 



HISTORY OF GARDN^EB. 389 

1842. 2. Laura I., b. May 22, 1844. 3. Mary E., b. Apr. 16, 
1851. 4. Joseph O., b. Feb. 23, 1853. 5. Myra A., b. Aug. 
16, 1855. 

Whitney, Jonathan, m. Mehitable ; their ch. were: 1. Lucy 

P., b. Jan. 27, 1821. 2. Jonathan A., b. Feb. 10, 1822, d. Oct. 
6, same year. 3. Caleb W., b. Nov. 29, 1824. 4. Jonathan D., 
b. Feb. 8, 1826. 

Whitney, Joseph 1st, m. Sally Parks; their eh. were: 1. Henry, b. 
1793, m. Mary Ann Bassett. 2. Sally, b. 1795, m. Luther Alden. 
3. Esther, b. 1797, m. Jonas Brick. 4. Joseph Parks, b. 1798, 
m, Roeua Bickford. 5. George, b. 1801, m. Sophia Greenwood. 
6. Charles, b. 1804, d. 1824. 7. Samuel, b. 1806, d. 1826. 8. 
Anna P., b. 1809, m. Mr. Read. 

Whitney, Henry, s. of .Joseph 1st, m. Mary Ann Bassett ; their ch. wei-e : 
1. Eliza Ann, b. Mar. 1, 1825. 2. Dulcina, b. Jan. 10, 1827, m. 
John Q. Clark. Her second husband was Benjamin T. Joslin. 3. 
Isaac H., b. Nov. 27, 1828. 4. Mary P., b. Aug. 25, 1830, m. 
E. P. Hardy. 5. Sarah P., b. June 12, 1832. 6. Caroline M., 
b. Oct. 24, 1834, m. A. M. Wilson. 7. John T., b. May 14, 1838. 
8. Florence A., b. June 15, 1840, m. L. H. Brown. 9. Ellen, b. 
1842, m. C. S. VYarren. 10. p:veline, b. 1844. 

Whitney, Joseph P., s. of Joseph 1st, m. Roena Bickford; they had 
one child named Roena H., b. July 25, 1823. Mr. Whitney d. 
Jan. 19, 1824. Mrs. Whitney afterwards m. Carlisle Heyvvood. 

Wilder, Elijah, one of the first settlers, a farmer, located in the west 
part of the town on the Wilder Brook. An old cellar, a few ancient 
apple trees and the remains of a mill-dam, are all that are left to 
indicate civilization. He m. Azubah Larkin ; their ch. were : 1. 
Persis, b. May 20, 1786. 2. Mary, b. May 22, 1788. 3. Asa 
W., b. May 23, 1790. 4. Phineas, b. May 5, 1792. 5. Eri, b. 
Apr. 17, 1795. Mr. Wilder moved to the Province of Maine about 
the year 1796. 

Wilder, Josiah, cousin of Elijah, one of the first settlers, came from 
Sterling about the year 1773, and located in the north part of the 
town, where Leander Knowlton now lives. He was a farmer and 
blacksmith. He m. Hezediah Larkin ; their ch. were : 1. Azubah, 
b. Mar. 23, 1776. 2. Katie, b. July 19, 1779. His second wife 



390 HISTORY OF GAEDJ^ER. 

Avas Joanna Baker ; their cli. were : 1. Ilezediali, b. Nov. 2, 1784. 
2. Josiah, b. Mar. 5, 178G, m. Polly Wheeler. 3. David, b. Nov. 
10, 1787. He was killed while digging in a well in 1818. 4. 
Isaac, b. Nov. 23, 1789, m. Percia Joops. 5. Joanna, b. Mar. 
30, 1792. Mr. Wilder died in 1826, aged 76. His last wife died 
in 1842, aged 91. 

Wilder, Josiah, s. of Josiah, m. Polly Wheeler; their ch. were: 1. 
Betsey, b. Apr. 13, 1818. 2. Mary, b. Dec. 2, 1819. Mr. Wil- 
der moved to Fitzwilliam, N. H., where he had sons and daughters. 

Williams, Ephraim, m. Betsey Sawin ; their ch were: 1. Phebe, b. 
Apr. 7, 1810, m. Elisha S. Jackson. 2. Martha S., b. May 11, 
1813, m. Mr. Woodward. 3. Betsey, b. Jan. 25, 1817, m. Amos 
Miller. 4. Isaac, b. Mar. 30, 1818, d. Nov. 10, 1844. 5. Ruth, 
b. Apr. 7, 1821. 6. Samuel, b. Jan. 1, 1832. 

Williams, Abel, ra. Rebecca ; their ch. were : 1. Mary Ann, 

b. Sept. 11, 1837, m. Thomas Averill. 2. Edmond L., b. Sept. 
22, 1840. 3. Hannah M., b. May 8, 1846. 

Williams, John, brother of Abel, m. Mary Foster ; they had one 
child named Mary Ann, b. Sept. 11, 1837. 

Williams, Hiram, brother of the preceding, m. Jane ; their ch. 

were: 1. Charles H., b. Feb. 15, 1842. 2. George 0., b. Nov. 
17, 1843. 

Williams, Lovell. brother of the preceding, m. Betsey Young ; they 
had one child named Eliza A., b. Aug. 7, 1841. 

Wilson, Joseph, m. ; their ch. were : 1. Hannah, b. 

Mar. 11, 1792. 2. Joseph, b. Feb. 26, 1794. 3. Timothy, b. 
Sept. 23, 1796. 4. Rebecca, b. Mar. 26, 1798. 5. Rachel, b. 
May 25, 1804, d. July 16, 1804. 

Woodbury, John, m. Lucretia ; their ch. were : 1. Jonathan 

B. H., b. Mar. 4, 1811. 2. Sarah A., b. May 26, 1813. 

Wood, Jonathan, an early settler, located in the southwest part of the 

town. He m. Anna ; their ch. were. 1. Jonathan, m. 

Betsey Bancroft. 2. Catherine, b. June 9, 1790, d. July 28, same 
year. His second wife was Lois ; their ch. were : 1. Ben- 
jamin, b. Nov. 29, 1799. 2. Windsor D., b. July 26, 1801. 3. 
Oliver, b. Aug. 30, 1803. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 391 

Wood, Jonathan, s. of Jonathan, m. Betsey Bancroft ; their ch. were : 
1. Polly B., b. Nov. 4, 1809, in. Oran Partridge. 2. Betsey, b. 
Jan. 2, 1812. 3. Almond, b. July 22, 1814. 4. Smyrna, b. Oct. 
21, 1815. His second wife was .Sarah Perley ; their ch. were: 1. 
Sally C, b. June 27, 1818. 2. Nelson P., b. Jan. 26, 1821, m. 
Mary Nichols. 

Wood, Benjamin, s. of Jonathan 1st, m. Sarah Hill; their ch. were : 
1. Betsey, b. Jan. 28, 1826. 2. Amanda, b. Oct. 6, 1827. S. 
Lowell, b. Sept. 17, 1829, 4. Oliver, b. Oct. 31, 1831. 5. Geo. 
F., b. Feb. 25, \^M. 6. Mary A., b. July 17, 1836. 

Wood, Elijah, an early settler, located in the southwest part of the 

town, where Abijah Hinds now lives. He m. Isabella ; 

their ch. were : 1. Isabella, b. Dec. 5, 1772. 2. Elijah P., b. 
Sept. 18, 1774. 3. Susanna, b. Mar. 11, 1777. 4. Eunice, b. 
Apr. 9, 1779. 5. Abel, b. Apr. 18, 1781. 6. Dolly, b. Apr. 5, 
1784. 7. Timothy, b. Dec. 24, 1786. 

Wood, Jeremiah, m. Rebecca ; their ch. were: 1. Mary, b. 

June 29, 1805. 2. Heret. b. Oct. 16. 1808. 3. Betsey, b. Feb. 
3, 1811. 4. Silas, b. Oct. 25, 1813. 

Wood, Nahum, m. Ruth Jackson, dau. of Elisha Jackson ; they had 
one child named Louisa, b. Sept. 24, 1800. Soon after he moved 
to Maine where he had other children. 

Wood, Aaron, brother of Nahum, m. Lucy Jackson, dau. of Elisha 
Jackson ; their ch. were: 1. Lucy, b. Sept. 30, 1792, ra. Joseph 
Bacon. 2. Sally, b. Mar. 7, 1795, m. Seth Whitney. 3. Aaron, 
b. Dec. 11, 1797. His second wife was Bethia Beard; their ch. 
were: 1. Moses, b. Apr. 2, 1803, m. Mary Comee. 2. Cyrena, 
b. Jan. 20, 1805, m. Ephraim Wright. 3. Asaph, b. Dec. 30. 
1806. 4. Amanda, b. Feb. 3, 1809, m. Merrick Nichols. 5. 
Emeline, b. May 23, 1811, m. Samuel S.Howe. 6. Theophilus 
P., b. Oct. 4, 1813. 7. Abel S., b. July 17, 1815, m. Sarah Rus- 
sell. His second wife was Caroline E. Allen. 

Wood, Moses, s. of Aaron, m. Mary Comee ; their ch. were: 1. Wil- 
liam B., b. July 21, 1830. 2. James C, b. Apr. 13, d. Apr. 17, 
1835. 3. Mary T., b. Sept. 12, 1837. 4. Charles Henry, b. 
Sept. 25, 1843. 5. Edward L., b. Oct. 6, 1845. 



392 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Wood, Asaph, s. of Aaron, m. Martha Edgell ; their ch. were: 1. 
Prucius M,, b. Nov. 9, 1830, d. June 16, 1831. 2. Priicius M., 
b. July 17, 1832. 3. Amanda, b. Mar. 10, 1834, m. Moses Emery. 
4. Theophilus, b. Nov. 30, 1836, d. Apr. 28, 1838. 5. Lucy A., b. 
Sept. 5, 1838. 6. Theophilus P., b. June 22, 1840. 7. Adelia, b. 
Oct. 9,' 1841. His second wife was Abbie H. Pierce. She had 
one child named Eliza H., b. Jan. 8, 1846, m. Elijah Warren. 

Wood, Theophilus P., s. of Aaron, m. Eliza A. Cutler. They had one 
child named Charles, b. July 20, 1841, d. Feb. 19, 1842. Mr. 
Wood died June 15,. 1843. 

Wood, Silas, m. Sarah Howe, dau. of Ebenezer ; their ch. were: 1. 
Amos, b. Dec. 15, 1801. 2. Phebe, b. Jan. 23, 1804, d. Jan. 
31, 1804. 

Wood, Ltman F., m. Elvira Ray; their ch. Avere : 1. Mary F., b. 
Sept. 20, 1836, d. Oct. 7, 1836. 2. Francis L., b. Jan. 11, 1838. 
3. Converse, b. Nov. 27, 1840, d. Dec. 11, 1840. 4. Edwin L., 
b. July 16, 1843. 

Wright, Joseph, from Sterling, one of the early settlers, located in the 
south part of the town on Wright's Hill. He m. Rebecca Nichols ; 
their ch. were: 1. Rebecca, b. June 25, 1791, m. Walter Green- 
wood. 2. Joseph, b. Apr. 3, 1794, m. Nancy Eaton. 3. Nathaniel, 
b. May 30, 1796, m. Susan Edgell. 4 Lucy, b. May 8, 1798, m. 
Farwell Conant. 5. Ephraim, b. June 22, 1800. 6. Martha, b. 
July 12, 1802, m. Levi Heywood. 7. Louisa, b. June 4, 1804, m. 
Hiram Clark. 8. Edward, b. June 20, 1806, m. Catherine Con- 
ant. 9. David, b. Oct. 25, 1808, m. Elizabeth Gay. 10. Polly, 
b. Oct. 24, 1810, m. Abijah M. Severy. 11. Emily, b. Dec. 24, 
1814, m. Seth Heywood. 

Wright, Joseph, s. of Joseph, m. Nancy Eaton. They had one child 
named Charles A., b. Sept. 11, 1823. 

Wright, Nathaniel, s. of Joseph 1st, m. Susan Edgell ; their ch. 
were: 1. Susan, b. Oct. 29, 1823, m. W. AV. Walton. 2. Mar- 
cus, b. Apr. 23, 1825, m. Maria S. Bent. 3. Thomas, b. Aug. 15, 
1829, d. July 12, 1830. 4. Francis, b. Nov. 3, 1831, d. May 14^ 
1832. 5. Martha, b. Aug. 3, 1836, m. Elias E. Horton. 



HISTORY OF GARDIsfER. 393 

Wright, Ephuaim, s. of Joseph 1st, m. Cyrena Wood ; they had one 
child named William W., b. May 23, 1824, d. Feb. 24, 1825. His 
second wife was Sally W. Bancroft. His third wife was Eliza 
Brick; their ch. were: 1. William W., b. Feb. 5, 1830. 2, Ed- 
win, d. 3. Eliza, d. 4. Edwin, m. Almira Jackson. 5. Charles, 
m, Ilattie M. Hill. 6. Henry. 7. Ann Eliza, m. Walter Pratt. 

Wkigiit, David, s of Joseph 1st, m. Elizabeth Gay; their ch. were: 
1. Catherine A., b. Apr. 9, 1839, m. Charles F. Read. 2. Ellen 
E., b. Dec. 25, 1843. 



50 



394 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

BIOGRAPHIC. 

" Honour and sliame from no condition rise ; 
Act well your part, there all the honour lies. 

Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow ; 
The rest is all but leather or pruuello." — Pope. 

WE shall incliicle, in this chapter, the names of resident 
physicians, physicians who have resided here, dentists, 
resident lawyers, graduates who were born here, but pursuing 
their professions elsewhere, graduates of various S(!hools, acad- 
emies and colleges, and other men of note. The different cler- 
gymen who have served the town, will receive attention in the 
chapter on churches. 

RESIDENT PHYSICIANS. 

David Parker, M. D., was born in Westford, Mass., March 
18th, 1802, where his ancestors settled, before the incorporation 
of that town. There were three brothers who came from Europe, 
in the same ship. One settled at Lexington, from whom sprang 
Bishop Parker, and Captain John Parker, who w-as killed in the 
battle of Lexington, also Theodore Parker. Another settled in 
Reading, Mass., and the third in Westford, from whom have 
descended several lawyers and eminent judges, of our courts, 
besides many physicians. Dr. David Parker, a descendant 
of the latter, came to Gardner, October 23d, 1823, having 
spent three years, as a student, at Westford. He commenced 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 395 

the study of mediciue with his brother Horace. He attended 
his first course of lectures at Pittstield, the next year after 
coming to Gardner. He was afterwards a student in the office 
of Dr. Nathan Smith, of New Haven. In 1827, he attended a 
course of lectures at Castleton, Vt., at the close of which, he 
received the degree of M. D. He then returned to Gardner, 
where he practiced, with his brother, about nine months. In 
accordance with the advice of his brother, he then went to Bos- 
ton and was, for a time, in the office of Dr. George B. Doane, 
who was head surgeon of the American fleet, sent out against 
Algiers. While in Boston, he attended the lectures of Drs. 
John C. Warren, James Jackson and Walter Channing. While 
in Dr. Doaue's office, whose kindly assistance and friendship 
he enjoyed, he w^as a constant visitor at the Massachusetts Gen- 
eral Hospital, where he was thrown into a dissecting class with 
Drs. Charles G. Jackson and Willard Parker, now the most 
eminent physician and surgeon in New York. 

At the time Dr. Parker commenced the practice of medicine, 
in this town, the Massachusetts Statute, concerning physic and 
surgery, required that, " Every person, who has been licensed 
to practice physic or surgery, since the year one thousand eight 
hundred and eighteen, or who shall hereafter be so licensed, 
shall deposit a copy of his license with the clerk of the town, 
in which such licentiate may reside ; and the said clerk shall file 
in his office such copy, attested by him with his certificate there- 
on, of the time when the same was so deposited, for which he 
shall receive, from the licentiate, the sum of fifty cents." In 
accordance with this provision of the statute. Dr. Parker depos- 
ited the following diploma, which Ave have transcribed from the 
town records, as a matter of interest to practitioners of the 
present day : — 



396 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

PRASES ET PBOFES SORES, 
AGADEMIM MEDICINM GA8TLET0NM 

IN 

Republia Viridimontana Lectoribus, Salutem: 

Cum Domiuus David Parker operam cliligentein et assiduam 
studiis Medicinalibus atque Philosophicis ex pra^scripto hujusce 
AcadeniiB dederit et a nobis petierit ut ipsum Titulo Medicinal 
Doctoris ornaremus : Nos Pr^eses et Professores, antedicti po- 
testate, a summo Reipublicae Viridimontanse imperio concessa 
eundura Dominum David Parker post approbatiim examine ac- 
curate, in universa Mediciua, eruditionem Medicinje Doctorem 
rite et legitime creavimus et renuntiavimus eique tanquam vere 
idoneo omnia Jura, Honores et Privilegia contulimus, qua? Med- 
icinseDoctori, legibus aut consuetudine, concedi tribuique solent. 
Cujus rei quo major esset fides, Prfesidis et Professor uni Chiro- 
graphum et Academise Sigillum his Uteris patentibus, opponeuda 
curavimus. 

Datum Castletona? die dessimo nono Mensis Decembri, Anno 
Domini millessimo octingentesimo vicesimo septimo annoque 
Reipublicge Americse Septentrionalis foederato3 quinquagesimo 
secundo. 

William Tully, Prmses. 

Theodore Woodward, 

Academice Ohstitis. 

William Tully, 

Theorice et Prceses Medicinw. Professor. 

Theodore Woodward, 

Chirugice et Obstetrici, Professor. 
Jonathan A. Allen, 

Materice 3Iedirce et Pharmaceuticis, Professor. 
Alden March, 

Anatomicis et-PhysioIogicv, Professor. 

Lewis C. Beck, 

Chymice et Hystorice Naturalis, Professor. 

Amos Eaton, 

PhilosopMce Nattiralis, Professor. 
A true copy, attest, 

Levi Hey wood, Towji Clerk. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 397 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

We, the subscribers, Censors of the First District of the 
Massachusetts Medical Society, duly appointed and authorized, 
have examined the letters testimonial of David Parker, M. D., 
of Gardner, in the County of Worcester, and having found 
them satisfactory, do hereby admit him to all the privileges of 
those who have been examined and approbated, by the Censors. 
Dated at Boston this 29th day of July, A. D., 1827. 

John Diswell, M. D. 

Kurus Wyman, M. D. 

Walter Chaining, M. D. 

George Heywood, M. D. 

Enoch Hale, M. D. 

By virtue of the power in me vested, I have here unto affixed 
the Seal of the Massachusetts Medical Society. 

J. Jackson, President. 
Attest, 

George Heywood, Recording Secretary. 

A true copy, attest, 

Levi Heywood, Toiun Clerk. 

It will be seen, by the above testimonials, that Dr. Parker 
commenced the practice of medicine, in this town, well qualified 
for his profession, and fully endorsed by the highest medical 
authority in the state. From that date to the present time, he 
has ever proved himself to be a wise, discreet, faithful and con- 
siderate family physiciau, not careful to consult his own ease or 
preference, by day or by night, when the welfare and comfort 
of his patients requires his presence, sympathy and medical 
skill, in their chambers of sickness and distress. Dr. Parker 
is still engaged in the practice of medicine, in this toAvn, and 
although well advanced in years, evinces no disposition to remit 
the arduous duties of a life time, in the faithful performance of 
which, he has ever found delight and satisfaction. As a citizen 
he has readily and cheerfully performed the duties allotted him 



398 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

ill the viirious positions he has filled. His aim seems ever to 

have heeu the promotion of the highest peaee and welfare of 

the community in which he has resided for so many years, and 

from which he will be greatly missed and sincerely lamented 

when he has gone, especially by the poor, to whose call he has 

always cheerfully responded, even when 

'' Thick darkuess broodeth o'ei- the earth," 

and others are enjoying 

" Sleep, that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care. 
The death of each day's life, sore labors bath. 
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course. 
Chief nourisher in life's feast." 

EuwAED J. Sawyer, M. D. , was born August 3d, 1821), at \\'est 
Haven, Rutland County, Vermont. He was educated at New 
London, New Hampshire, and Chester Academy, Vermont. He 
studied medicine with Dr. Lowell of Chester, Vt. He attended 
medical lectures at the Medical College in Castleton, Vermont, 
from which institution he received his medical degree, in June, 
1853. He began the practice of medicine, in August, 1853, in 
Acworth,N. H., where he remained four years and a half. He 
then removed to Gardner, in January, 1858, where he has con- 
tinued in the practice of his profession, till the present time. 
Dr. Sawyer is a gentleman of culture and refinement, which, 
added to his medical skill, serve to render him a very affa- 
ble and much esteemed physician, whose courtesy, kindness 
and assiduous attention, are greatly appreciated by his patients. 

It. Foster Andrews, M. D., was born in New Salem, March 
31st, 1836. He is the sou of Dr. Robert Andrews, formerly of 
New Salem, where for many years he practiced medicine, pre- 
vious to his removal to Orange, where he died in 1869. Dr. 
Andrews received his academical education at New Salem Acad- 
emy. While quite young, he pursued the study of medicine 
with his father. In 1854, he took a full course of medical lec- 
tures, at Dartmouth Medical College, Hanover, N. H. ; also, in 
1855-6, a course of medical lectures at Harvard Medical Col- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 399 

lege. In 1857, he took a third course of medical lectures, at 
Dartmouth, where he graduated November 11th, 1857. He 
practiced his profession a short time, at Erving and New Salem, 
Mass., Fletcher, Vt., and Woodstock, New Brunswick. Com- 
ing to Gardner in the spring of 1860, he established a drug store, 
in the West Village, in company with Mr. Joseph Hager. Sub- 
sequently he spent tAvo winters in New York city, attending 
lectures at the College of Physicians andl Surgeons and at the 
Medical College at Belle vue Hospital. He practiced medicine 
three years, in California, at Mendocino and Santa Cruz. He 
was also, a short time, in government employ, as surgeon, at 
Fort Braog. Eeturning East, in 1869-70-71, he took three full 
courses of lectures, given to physicians only, b}' Prof. H. K. 
Storer, of Boston, on " The Surgical Diseases of Women." He 
also took a special course of instruction by Prof. H. R. Oliver 
on diseases of the throat. In 1866, he returned to Gardner, 
where, being unable to ride, he established the drug store now 
owned by Dr. James Emerson. He is a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Medical Society, of the American Medical Association, 
and corresponding member of the Gynecologycal Society of Bos- 
ton. It will be seen, from the above sketch, that Dr. Andrews 
has been thoroughly educated for his profession, having enjoyed 
the hi2;hcst medical advantao-es, which have well fitted him for a 
very successful practice of his art. 

Guy W. Garland, M. D., was born in East Plainville, N. H., 
December 11th, 1844. He entered the office of Dr. M. E. 
Thompson, as a student of medicine, in 1863, and graduated at 
the Medical University of Pennsylvania, April 30th, 1867. He 
began the practice of medicine, in Gardner in June, 1867. In 
connection with the practice of medicine, Dr. Garland conducts 
a drug store in the West Village. As an Eclectic physician. Dr. 
Garland possesses those qualifications, which make him very 
acceptable, to those who prefer this method of practice. 

James Emersox, M. D., was born at Barnstead, N. H., June 
30th, 1827. He fitted for college at Mount Vernon, N. H., and 



400 HISTORY OF GARDINER. 

entered Dartmouth College, where he continued till sometime in 
the junior year, when he was compelled to relinquish his college 
course on account of impaired health. He then resumed the 
stndy of medicine, which he had begun previous to entering col- 
le<je. He o-raduated at Dartmouth Medical School in 1857. He 
practiced medicine in New Hampshire till November, 1862 ; he 
then settled at Ashby, Mass., where he remained until Novem- 
ber, 1865, when he went to Minnesota for his health and remained 
in that state, for nearly two years. He came to Gardner, in 
March, 1868, where, for a time, he was engaged in the practice 
of his profession, but subsequently, and to the present time, has 
been engaged in the drug business, still practicing in his pro- 
fession as occasion offers. Dr. Emerson is a man of literary 
taste and culture, and of affable address. He has served, for 
several years with efficiency, upon the school board of this town, 
and has done very much to lift our public school system to higher 

levels. 

PHYSICIANS F0RMP:RLY RESIDENT HERE. 

Joseph Boyden, M. D. This gentleman was probably the 
first physician in Gardner. Soon after the settlement of Rev. 
Jonathan Osgood, in 1791, Dr. Boyden left town. Mr. Os- 
good, as was not unfrequently the custom, in those daj^s, united 
the medical with his clerical profession, thus making the longer 
continuance of Dr. Boyden, undesirable on his part. Mr. 
Osgood supplied the medical wants of the town for nearly thirty 
years. He was regularly qualified for the practice of medicine, 
having enjoyed the advantages of medical lectures and studies, 
and was an active, influential member of the Massachusetts 
Medical Society, in which he filled various offices. 

Dk. Howard succeeded Mr. Osgood in the practice 

of medicine, and remained here a few years. 

Horace Parker, M. D., began the practice of medicine here 
in 1822. He continued in the practice of his profession about 
seven years, when, his health failing, he returned to Westford, 
his native town where, he died June 13th, 1829, aged thirty- 
three years. 





^?^ 




HISTORY OF GARDNER. 401 

Algernon Sidney CARrENTER,M-I^-'. was born in Alstead, N. 
H., October 16th, 1814. He received his education in the com- 
mon schools and at Alstead Academy. He began the study of 
medicine with his father, in 1834, and attended three courses of 
medical lectures at the Vermont Medical College, Woodstock, 
receiving the degree of M. D., from Middlebury College, in 
1837. He commenced the practice of medicine, in 1838, in his 
native town. He removed to Gardner in the autumn of 1843, 
where he remained till the autumn of 1847, when he went to 
Keene, where he has since continued in the active practice of his 
profession. 

George Jewett, M. D., was born in Rindge, N. H., April, 
28th, 1825. He received his medical education, principally, 
at Woodstock, Vt., and Berkshire Medical College, at Pittslield, 
Mass., where he received his degree in 1846, and at Harvard 
Medical College, Boston. He commenced the practice of 
medicine at Baldwinsville, in 1847, and removed to Gardner, in 
1852, from wbich place he removed to Fitchburg in 1858, where 
he has since continued in the practice of medicine, with the 
exception of one year spent in travel, and a little less than two 
years spent in the army, as surgeon of the 51st Massachusetts 
Regiment, with which he remained till the discharge of the 
regiment. 

D. B. Whittier, M. D., commenced the practice of medicine 
in Gardner, in 1860, and removed to Fitchburg, in 1861, where 
he still resides. He received his education at the New York 
Homoeopathic Medical College. 

Besides these, there have been other physicians who have 
resided here for a time, among whom were Drs. Sanborn, Har- 
riman, Warner, Macomber and Walcott. 

DENTISTS. 

William H. H. Hinds, D. D. S., was the first settled dentist 
in Gardner. He was born in Milan, N. H., January 20th, 
1821. When he was about six years of age, his father and 

51 



402 HISTORY OF GABDJ^FR. 

oldest brother were murdered, while on a hunting excursion. 
At the age of seven, he went to Dublin, N. H., to live with a 
farmer. From early childhood, Dr. Hinds was taught the virtue 
of self-reliance. Having drifted about, from place to place, at 
the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's 
trade, in which business he served six years, receiving, in addi- 
tion to his board and clothes, only two months' schooling each 
winter. Having, by his trade, acquired sufficient means to 
enable him to enjoy higher educational advantages, he entered 
the academ}' at New Ipswich, N. H. Subsequently he taught 
district schools, during the winter, working at his trade, as a 
carpenter, the rest of the year. He afterwards studied archi- 
tecture and architectural drawing, at Lowell, and was employed 
as an architect and teacher of drawing, till 1848, when he be- 
gan the study of dentistry, in Fitchburg, and continued it in 
Boston. He began the practice of dentistry in Gardner, where 
he had previously taught school. Here he continued several 
years, till he removed to Groton Junction, now Ayer. In 1872 
he returned to Gardner, where he now resides. Dr. Hinds 
enjoys the reputation of being a patriotic citizen. At the 
breaking out of the Eebellion, he was instrumental in forming 
a military company, of which he was first lieutenant. This 
company was attached to the 16th Regiment, Massachusetts 
Volunteers, as Company C. Eesigning his position, in the fall 
of 1861, he returned home, and raised another company, of 
which he was commissioned captain. This company was at- 
tached to the r33d Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, as 
Company E. Dr. Hinds continued in this company, in active 
service, till after the battle of Chancellorsville, when, on ac- 
count of ill health, he resigned. Pie was appointed an agent of 
the United States Treasury, and directed by Secretary Chase to 
organize a body to collect abandoned property, which served as 
a supply to the rebels. This movement was originally sug- 
gested to Secretary Chase, by Captain Hinds, and proved of 
very great advantage to the goycrnment. Captain Hinds was 
the recipient of very flattering testimonials from Gov. Andrew 



HISTORY OF GARDNEli. 403 

.and the officers uncler whom he served, for his fidelity and de- 
votion to duty, while in the army. 

Hartwell a. Dalrymple, D. D. S., was born in Heath, 
Mass., August 26th, 1848. He worked on a farm in liowe, 
till he was twenty-one years of age, after which, he removed 
to Greenfield, Mass., where he was a student in the High 
School. He afterwards removed to Wilmington, Vt., where he 
entered the dental office of Dr. Pike, as an apprentice. In 1870 
he attended a course of lectures in the Pennsylvania College of 
Dental Surgeons, at Philadelphia. The same year he opened a 
dental office in Gardner. In 1873, he returned to Philadelphia, 
where, having continued his studies, in the above named college, 
he received his diploma, in the spring of 1874. He then re- 
turned to Gardner, where he has since continued in his profes- 
sion, in which, his aim is constant growth. 

Dr. Foskett practiced dentistr}"^ here for several ^a^ars, and 
afterwards removed to Winchendon, where he died in 1876. 

attornp:ys and counsellors at law. 

Till within a few years Gardner has never furnished an invit- 
ing field for lawyers. The first resident lawyer was the Hox. 
C. H. B. Snow, who came to Gardner in 1847, and continued 
here aljout one year. Following him, w^as C. W. Carter, Esq., 
who commenced the practice of his profession here, in 1852 
and continued until 1861. 

Ephraim D. Howe was born in Marlboro', Mass., April 4th, 
1842. His father was a farmer, and his early life was spent in 
working on the farm and in attending school. He fitted for 
college at the Marlboro' High School, under the instruction of 
Hon. O. W. Albee, a famous teacher, and at that time princi- 
pal of this school. He was admitted to Tufts College in July, 
1862, but did not enter upon his collegiate course at that time, 
as, in a few days, he enlisted, as a private with the nine months 
men, in Company I, 5th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. 



404 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

His regiment saw active service and participated in several en- 
gagements. July 2d, 1863, he was discharged by reason of 
the expiration of his term of service. Upon his return from 
the army, he entered Tufts College, from which institution he 
graduated in July, 1867. He taught school during the winter 
vacations, and in this way earned the money, in part, to defray his 
college expenses. After his graduation from college, he com- 
menced the study of law, in the office of J. M. Baker, Esq., 
in Marlboro', Mass. Having been appointed principal of an 
evening school in Boston, he moved to that city and continued 
the study of law in the office of Hon. Charles Robinson, Jr. 
Mr. Howe was admitted to the bar, at East Cambridge, Mass., 
June 22d, 1870, and opened an office in this town, August 23d, 
same year. He has continued in the successful practice of the law 
in this town, to the present time. September 8th, 1870, he 
was appointed a Justice of the Peace by Gov. Claflin, and was 
reappointed in September, 1877, by Gov. Rice. July 7th, 
J 874, he was appointed a Notary Public by Lieut. Governor 
Talbot. September 3d, 1873, he married Miss Clara E. Allen, 
daughter of John Allen of this town. Mr. Howe enjoys the 
reputation of being thoroughly versed in his profession, and is a 
successful practitioner. 

Thatcher B. Dunn, was born in Ludlow, Vt., December 5th, 
1844. He was educated at Black River Academy, in his native 
town. He commenced the study of law, at the age of twenty- 
one, with Sewall Fullam, Esq., of Ludlow, and continued with 
him and with Messrs. Barrett and Athertion of Nashua, N. H., 
for over three years, when he entered the law school at Albany, 
N. Y. Mr. Dunn was admitted to the bar, July 27th, 1869, 
and commenced the practice of his profession at Lathrop, Clin- 
ton County, Missouri, where he remained over four years. In 
October, 1873, he removed to Gardner, where he has since been 
engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Dunn is well 
versed in the law and is a man whose honor, and integrity, inspire 
confidence, in his clients. He is a good citizen, to whom, his 



HI8T0RY OF GARDjSTEE. 405 

fellow townsmen have accorded the honor of making him a mem- 
ber of the school board, and in whom the elements are so mixed, 

"That Nature mig-tit staud up, 
Aud say to all the world, this is a maa." 

GRADUATES. 

Abner Kneeland was born within the limits of what is now 
Gardner, in 1774. The place of his birth is abont a mile and 
a half west of the Centre, in what was then the town of Win- 
chendon. Being a young man of strong mind and great resolu- 
tion, in the face of great disadvantages, he obtained a good edu- 
cation, and was employed, for some time, as a school teacher. 
In 1802, he published a spelling book, of two hundred pages, 
entitled the "American Definition Spelling Book." In 1805, 
he was ordained as a Baptist minister, in Langdon, N. H., and 
for several years, was a member of that denomination. Subse- 
quently, he became a preacher in the Universalist denomination. 
Finally, he became a deist. From 1821 to 1823 he was editor of 
a Universalist periodical, in Philadelphia. In 1828, he was edi- 
tor of the Olive Branch, New York. In 1832, he founded the 
Investigator, at Boston and in 1836, was tried before the supreme 
court at Boston, on a charge of blasphemy. He died at Salu- 
bria, Ind., August 27th, 1844. He was the author of the follow- 
ing works : " The Deist," " Lectures on Universal Salvation," 
"A Translation of the New Testament," "A Review of the 
Evidences of Christianity," and other works. 

Asaph Merriasi, son of Nathan Merriam, born March 20th, 
1792 ; studied for the ministry, and without receiving a colle- 
giate education, became a preacher in the Baptist denomination. 

Jacob H. Merriam, son of Jonathan Merriam, was born Jan- 
uary 22d, 1799. He received a collegiate education, at Bruns- 
wick, Maine, and studied theology at Bangor, and became a 
preacher of the gospel. 

Henry H. Wyman was born in Westminster. In early boy- 
hood, he came to reside in Gardner, with his step-father, Mr. 



406 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Amasa Bancroft. He euily discovered a great fondness for 
books. Having prepared for college, in the High School of 
this town, he entered Amherst College in the fall of 1868, where 
he continued till sometime in the first term of his sophomore 
3^ear, when he left Amherst and entered the junior class of 
Brown University, where he graduated in 1871. In Sep- 
tember, of the same year, he Avas employed as teacher of Eng- 
lish, in St. Louis Catholic College, New York Ciiy. January 
8th, 1872, he entered the novitiate of the Con^reoation of Mis- 
sionary Priests, of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City. He 
became a professed member of this religious community, Sep- 
tember 7th, 1875. He was ordained a priest of the Roman 
Catholic Church, March 8th, 1876. Since that time he has been 
occupied in giving Catholic missions, in difierent parts of the 
United States. Father Wyman is a fine scholar, a diligent stu- 
dent and enthusiastically devoted to the propagation of the 
Catholic faith. 

W. C. BoYDEN, M. D., was born in Gardner, December 5th, 
1794, and is the son of Dr. Joseph Boyden, who moved from 
Gardner to Tamworth, N. H., in 1796, where he died in 1832, 
at the age of sixty-three. Dr. Boy den's mother, was Mary 
Heywood, daughter of Seth Heywood. He pursued his pre- 
paratory studies under Rev. Samuel Hidden, of Tamworth, N. 
H., and at Fryeburg, Me. He entered Dartmouth College in 
1815, where he graduated in 1819. He pursued his medical 
studies with his father, and at the Medical School, at Hanover, 
N. H., where he graduated in 1825. The same year he settled 
in Beverly, where he continued, in the regular practice of 
his profession until 1876. 

Jonathan W. D. Osgood, M, D., is a son of Rev. Jonathan 
Osgood, the first minister of this town. He was born in Gard- 
ner, July 29th, 1802. He entered the New Salem Academy in 
the Autumn of 1817, where he prepared for college. He en- 
tered Williams College in 1819. Here he continued until De- 
cember, 1821, when he went to Dartmouth, where he graduated 



HISTORY OF GARDJSTER. 407 

ill 1823. He entered the Medical department of Dartmouth, 
where he took his degree, in 1826. The same year he went to 
Phihidelphia, wliere lie spent several months in attending lec- 
tures, at the Pennsylvania University, and in hospital practice, 
in that city. He commenced the practice of medicine in Tem- 
pleton in 1827, continuing in that town till 1858, when he 
removed to Greentield, where lie now resides and continues the 
practice of his profession. Dr. Osgood is a member of the 
Massachusetts Medical Society, in which he has held various 
offices, and of which he was once Vice President. Dr. Osgood 
has always enjoyed the reputation of being a sound and skillful 
physician. As a medical practitioner, he is widely and favor- 
ably known, and in the success which he has achieved, reflects 
honor upon this, his native town. 

Charles Coolidge, M. D., son of James Coolidge, was born in 
Gardner, August 23d, 1809. Without further education, than 
what he received in the schools of this town, he commenced, 
while quite young, the teaching of common schools, during the 
winter seasons, while in the summer he worked at farming. 
After attaining his majority, he attended school in Greenwich, 
N. Y., two years, when he commenced the study of medicine, 
and attended lectures in New York City. After completing his 
medical studies he went to Waterloo, Missouri, where he com- 
menced the practice of medicine. In 1841 he moved to War- 
saw, 111., where he followed his profession until the breaking 
out of the Rebellion, in 1861. He entered the service of the 
government as a surgeon and remained until the close of the 
war, the last two years of which, he was stationed at Quincy, 
111., as examining surgeon. While in the service, he contracted 
a disease of the heart, which finally resulted in his death, No- 
vember 25th, 1870. 

Ebenezer L. Learned, M. D., was born in Gardner, July 
19th, 1812. His father was a blacksmith and farmer. Having 
enjoyed the advantages of the common schools of his native 
town, Dr. Learned, at the age of sixteen, made choice of the 



408 HISTORY OF GABDNEli. 

medical profession as his vocation for life. With this end in 
view, he pursued his preparatory studies, for two years, with 
Rev. Josiah D. Crosby, Congregational clergyman of Ash])urn- 
ham, Mass. At the end of this period, during which he worked 
more or less in the chair factory, in that town, he entered the 
Harvard Metlical School, where he spent a year in the study of 
medicine, attending lectures and witnessing practical surgery. 
Afterwards he attended a course of medical lectures, under Dr. 
Muzzey of Dartmouth Medical College, where, having made 
diligent improvement ot his time and opportunities, during one 
course, he was able to pass the necessary examinations, and to 
receive a diploma. He afterwards returned to Boston, where 
he completed the course of medical instruction, and was regu- 
larly graduated from the Harvard Medical School, in 1837. In 
1838, he commenced the practice of medicine in North Wey- 
mouth, where he remained about eight years. His health then 
failing, he removed to Philadelphia, and connected himself with 
the Jefferson Medical School, attending lectures and securing 
the advantages of hospital visitation. At the expiration of six 
months, he returned to Massachusetts, and settled in Fall River, 
where he has since resided, and has always enjoyed the high 
esteem of the citizens. His practice has continually increased, 
from year to year, till at the present time, it has reached an 
almost burdensome extent, while his genial qualities have won 
for him, a warm place in the atfections of his patrons, both old 
and young. Aside from the immediate duties of his profession, 
he has served upon the school board, both in Weymouth and 
Fall River. He was, for two years, president of the Bristol 
South District Medical Societ}^ and in 1877, was chosen coun- 
cillor of the Massachusetts State Medical Society, for three 
years, from that district. 

Jesse P. Bancroft, M. D., was born April 17, 1815. He 
prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andovcr, and Leices- 
ter, Mass. He entered Dartmouth College in 1837, and gradu- 
ated in 1841. He inmiediately entered Dartmouth Medical 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 409 

College, where he enjoyed the instructions of Profs. Peaslee, 
Crosby and Phelps, and graduated in 1844. He afterwards 
pursued his medical studies in the schools and hospitals of 
Philadelphia. He began the general practice of medicine in St. 
Johnsbury, Vt., where he continued until July, 1857, when he 
removed to Concord, N. H., having been appointed Superin- 
tendant and Treasurer of the New Hampshire Asylum for the 
Insane. This position he has held to the present time, with the 
exception of eighteen months, spent in travel and observation, 
in Europe. 

Nathan S. Lincoln, M. D., was born in this town. He 
graduated, at Dartmouth College, in 1850. He studied medicine 
in Baltimore, Md. After graduating, he commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine at Washington, D. C, where, at the present 
time, he enjoys the reputation of great eminence, as a physician. 

James P. Lynde, M. D., is the son of William S. and Chris- 
tiana Comee Lynde, and was born in Gardner, March 19th, 
1828. He was educated in the common and private schools of 
this town and at Lawrence Academy, in Groton, Mass. He be- 
gan the study of medicine in Gardner, with Dr. Harriman, and 
continued with Dr. Ira Russell of Winchendon. He attended 
medical lectures at Hanover, N. H., and at the medical depart- 
ment of Harvard University, at Boston, where he graduated 
March 3d, 1852. He commenced the practice of medicine, at 
Hardwick, Mass., in 1852, where he remained until 1856, when 
he removed to Athol, Mass., where he now resides, in the active 
practice of his profession. As a physician, Dr. Lynde cherishes 
an exalted opinion of his profession, which is, to him, a con- 
stant incentive to the attainment of still greater excellence 
therein. As a citizen, he is interested in the afRiirs of the town 
in which he resides, and has, for several years, been honored, 
by a position, on its school board. He is a faithful and pro- 
gressive physician, and is an honor to the town that gave him 
birth. 

52 



410 fflSTOBY OF GARDNER. 

Albert A. Kendall, M. D., was the son of Hubbard Ken- 
dall, of this town. He m^is born in Middlebury, Vt., March 
3d, 1828. He came to Gardner in his early boyhood. He at- 
tended school at the academy in Shelburne Falls, Mass. In 
1852, he o-raduated at the New York Medical Colles^e, and soon 
after commenced the practice of medicine, in New Braintree, 
where he remained three years. In 1855; he settled in Newton 
Lower Falls, where he remained seven years, greatly beloved 
and respected, as physician, friend, citizen and neighbor. May 
1st, 1862, he entered the United States service, as assistant 
surgeon to the 12th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers, 
then serving in Virginia. While connected with this regiment, 
he did bold, faithful and kindly service, to the soldiers under 
his care. He was killed at Antietam, while ensaged in the 
active discharge of his professional duties. He died, at the age 
of thirty-four years and six months. He was a Free Mason 
and had a very high appreciation of that Order. 

James H. Noyes, M. D., was born in this town, July 20th, 
1835. At the age of fourteen, he entered Burr Seminary, Vt., 
where he remained three years and a half; also a season at Ap- 
pleton Academy, New Ipswich, N. H. He then commenced 
the study of medicine and surgery, with Dr. I. G. Graves of 
Nashua, N. H., graduating four years later, in 1860, at Colum- 
bia College, New York. At the breaking out of the Kebel- 
lion, he entered the United States service, as assistant surgeon, 
and was soon after promoted to the position of surgeon. Since 
the close of the war, he has been actively engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession, in Ogden, Boone County, la. 

Francis Brick, M. D., was born in Gardner. He received 
his preliminary education, in the common schools of the 
town. He also spent one year at Castleton Seminary, Vt. He 
commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. 
E. J. Sawyer, of Gardner, and continued, Avitli Dr. J. C. 
Freeland, of Fitchbiirg, Mass. He attended two courses of 
medical lectures at the Homoeopathic Medical College, at Cleve- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 411 

land, Ohio, where he graduated in 1861. He located at Win- 
chester, N. H., in 1862, where he remained till the summer of 
1864, when he removed to Keene, N. H., where he continued 
the practice of medicine until January, 1875. He spent one 
winter, in Philadelphia, in attendance upon lectures and clinical 
study, in hospitals. In January, 1875, he established himself 
in Worcester, where he now resides. He is a member of the 
American Institute of Homoeopathy and Secretary of the Wor- 
cester County Homoeopathic Medical Society. 

Levi Heywood, son of Seth and Mary (Temple) Heywood, 
was born June 25th, 1783. He graduated at Dartmouth Col- 
lege, in 1808. Commenced the study of law with Hon. Nathan- 
iel Paine of Worcester, and finished with the Hon. Elijah Mills 
of Northampton. He was admitted to the bar in 1811, and 
commenced practice, in Worcester, the same year. In October, 
1818, he removed to Pickneyville, Louisiana, where he engaged 
in teaching school. Subsequently, for a time, he was principal 
of the Academy in Hackensack, New Jersey. He resumed the 
practice of law, in New York, where he died in 1832. 

Orlando Partridge, son of Seneca Partridge, was born De- 
cember 12th, 1854. He attended the High School in Gardner, 
and afterwards entered the Academy, at Franklin, Mass., from 
wdiich he graduated in September, 1875. At the present time, 
he is engaged in the study of law, with Milo Wilson, Esq., at 
Scrauton, Pa., and is expecting soon to be admitted to the bar. 

Eugene B. Collester, son of Thorley Collester, was born 
in Gardner, Dec. 20th, 1847. He prepared for college at 
Wesley an Academy, Wilbraham, Mass. He entered Amherst 
College, in 1869, and graduated, with honor, in 1873. Mr. Col- 
lester has, since his graduation, followed the profession of a 
teacher, and is, at the present time, successfully pursuing his 
vocation, as principal of Bulkley High School, New London, 
Connecticut. 



412 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

Frank M. Collester, son of Thorley Collester, wus horn in 
Gardner, September 21st, 185a. He prepared for college, at 
the Amherst High School, at which he graduated in 1873. En- 
tering Amherst College, the same year, he graduated in 1877. 
Mr. Collester is now teaching the High School in Gardner, with 
very general acceptance. 

Horace G. Howe, oldest son of George Howe, was born in 
Gardner, April 2d, 1845. He obtained such education, as the 
schools of his native town, at that time, afforded. He was dis- 
tinguished, among his schoolmates, as a good scholar, and had a 
strong desire for a higher education. The death of his father 
compelled him to work, in the chair shops of Gardner, from the 
age of fifteen until he was twenty-two. In 1867, he went to 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., to attend a commercial school, after which 
he taught school for a time, and then entered the New York 
State Normal School , at Albany, where he graduated, with honor, 
in 1869. After leaving Albany, he was one year principal 
of the Union School, at Cooperstovvn, N. Y. He was six 
years the principal of a graded school at Orange, New Jersey, 
where he labored with marked success. In 1876, he was invit- 
ed to become the principal of one of the largest ward schools, 
in the city of Troy, N. Y. In this position, he is at present 
engaged. Mr. Howe ranks among teachers, as a man of ability, 
and has worked earnestly, to elevate the condition of the schools, 
and to give dignity and character, to the teacher's profession. 

Jonathan Prescott, son of Jonathan Prescott, was born in 
Gardner, in January, 1798. He received his education, at West 
Point, where he graduated in 1822, with the diplomas of Pro- 
fessor of Enginery and Chemistry, and Lieutenant in the 
United States Army. After graduation, he remained three years, 
as a professor of chemistry. After leaving West Point, most of 
his time was spent, in the service of the government, superin- 
tendino^ its works in the various harbors of the United States. 



• 



HISTORY OF GARBjVFB. 413 

Myron W. Howe was born in Gardner, November 5th, 1851. 
He attended the public schools of his native town, till the age 
of fifteen, where he showed much aptness, as a scholar. He 
afterwards worked three years, in the chair shops of Gardner. 
In 1869, the Hon. William B. Washburn, then representing the 
Ninth Congressional District of Massachusetts, in Congress, 
oifered a cadetship,at West Point, to the young man, who should 
pass a successful competitive examination, for this position. 
Young Howe, receiving intelligence of this examination, while 
at work in the shop, on the afternoon previous to its occurrence, 
too late to allow him to reach Greenfield that night, by cars, 
secured a horse and carriage and rode nearly all night, in order 
to be present at the examination the next morning. In the 
examination, in which many competed, he proved to be the suc- 
cessful competitor. He entered at West Point, June, 1870, and 
graduated June, 1875. He was immediately commissioned 2d 
Lieutenant, in the 4th United States Artillery. He was stationed, 
with his company, at San Francisco, Cal., a little less than a 
year, when he was ordered to Sitka, Alaska. After remaining 
there about a year, he was ordered to Oregon, in the summer 
of 1877, to join Gen. O. O. Howard, in his campaign, against the 
Nez Perces Indians. In this campaign, he distinguished him- 
self by his gallantry and bravery. 

Daniel D. Parker was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., June 
29th, 1851. He came to Gardner, March 20, 1871, where he 
attended the High School, then in charge of Joseph Jackson. 
He graduated, from the Agricultural department, of Dartmouth 
College, receiving the degree of B. S. 

George A. Parker, brother of the above, was born in JFitz- 
william, N. H., April 28th, 1853. He came to Gardner, in 1871, 
where for a time he attended the Gardner High School. In 
September, 1872, he entered the Massachusetts Agricultural 
College, at Amherst, where he graduated June 21st, 1876. He 
ranked the sixth, in a class of twenty-four members, and re- 
ceived the first prize of fifty dollars, in agriculture. 



414 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Calvin Heywood Hill, son of Henry C. Hill, was born in 
Gardner, Mass., August 8th, 1857. He entered the High 
School, in Gardner, in the fall of 18G9, and attended regularly 
until January, 1874. He then entered the Technical Institute, 
at Worcester, where he graduated, July 11th, 1877, receiving 
the diploma of a Mechanical Engineer. 

MEN OF NOTE. 

Gen. Moses Wood was born in Gardner, April 2d, 1803, and 
died in Fitchburg, May 8th, 1869. He commenced business, in 
Gardner, as a merchant, in 1827, which he successfully prose- 
cuted until 1834, when he removed to Providence, R. I., and 
was there connected, with the mercantile firm of Child, Vial & 
Wood, which was engaged extensively, in the sale of wooden 
ware and chairs. While connected with this iirm, he was a lead- 
ing director and financier, in the Arcade Bank. In 1838, the 
General Assembly of Rhode Island, elected him Brigadier Gen- 
eral of Militia of Providence County. In 1849, he was elected 
first president of the Pollstone Bank, Fitchburg, Mass. He 
was also a director, in the old Fitchburg Bank. He moved to 
Fitchburg in 1850. He was once chosen delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention, for the nomination of President and Vice 
President of the United States. In 1851-2, he represented this 
Senatorial District, in the Senate of Massachusetts, with marked 
ability. He was president, of the Worcester North Agricultural 
Society, for several years. His character was marked by un- 
flinching honesty and uncommon courtesy. He was a man of 
great commanding j)ersonal presence. He died greatly honored 
and esteemed, by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 

Sumner Lincoln, brother of Nathan S., was born in Gard- 
ner, in 1841. Although not receiving a liberal education, he 
has a record, which is very honorable. At the commencement 
of the late war, he volunteered, in the service of the United 
States, as a private, remaining until the Rebellion was subdued, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 415 

when he came home, a Colonel. He has been in the United 
States Army since 1866, still retaining the position of Colonel. 
He is now stationed in Texas. 

The following young men are, at the present time, pursuing 
a course of education, in different colleges and schools : Charles 
Noyes, having been connected with Brown University, for three 
years, is now a student of medicine at Harvard Medical Col- 
lege ; Edward A. Sawyer, at Amherst College, George A. 
Black and Eugene C. Upton, at Harvard College, and Solon B. 
Stone, at a medical college, at Washington, D. C. 



416 HIST OB Y OF GARDNER . 



CHAPTER XVII. 

MILITARY AFFAIES. 

" Once to every inau aud iiatiou comes the nioiuent to decide, 
lu the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side." 

— Lowell. 
"Here once the embattled farmers stood, 
Aud fired the shot heard round the world." 

— B. W. Emerson. 
"We wait beneath the furnace-blast 
The pangs of transformation ; 
Not painlessly doth God recast 
And mould anew the nation. 
Hot burns the Are 
Where wrongs expire ; 
Nor spares the hand 
That from the laud 
Uproots the ancient evil." — Whittier. 
" Let them not live to taste this land's increase. 
That would, with treason, wound this fair land's peace! 
Now civil wounds are stopped, peace lives again ; 
That she may long live here, God say — Amen." 

— Bidiard III., Act V., Scene II. 

IT has been deemed JKh isable, before giving u detailed ac- 
count of the men who went from this town, into the war for 
the Union, to present a brief statement of the causes of this 
war, and the public action of the citizens of Gardner, in fur- 
nishing its required number of men. Before doing this, how- 
ever, we shall first give the names of those, among the earl}' 
settlers, who served in the Revolutionary War. The names of 
those who served in the w^ar of 1812, are given in Chapter X., 
page 246, of this history. 





z> 



^ 



/^X^ 



HI8T0BY OF GARDNER. 417 

GARDNER IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 
NAMES OF SOLDIERS. 

^Bickford, William Eaton, John Kneeland, Timothy 

Bolton, Ebenezer Foster, David Kelton, Samuel 

Baldwin, Josiah Greenwood, Aaron Matthews, John 

Bancroft, Jonathan Heywood, Seth Symonds, Joseph 

Comee, David Haynes, Reuben *Wheeler, Josiah 

Clark, Joseph Whitney, Joshua 

GARDNER IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION. 
CAUSES OF OUR CIVIL WAR. 

Previous to the Revolutionary War, slavery existed, to some 
extent, in all the British Colonies, in North America. After the 
Declaration of Independence, on the 4th of July, 1776, and 
before the adoption of the federal constitution in 1788, Massa- 
chusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New 
York, New Jersey and Connecticut had either abolished slavery 
or taken measures to effect the emancipation of all their slaves. 
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina 
and Georgia still retained the system, in their respective states. 
The question of slavery was generally understood to be settled 
in the states by the Constitution. But as the territory after- 
wards acquired was admitted into the union as states, the ques- 
tion of slavery was a troublesome one, until what was called the 
Missouri Compromise, was made by congress, in 1820, to the 
effect that slavery, or involuntary servitude, shall forever be 
prohibited, in all the territory north of latitude 36° 30'. 

Although the territory south of the line above named, was 
as well adapted to slave labor as any in the world, yet it seemed 
to be a fact, that in order to have the system self-supporting, 
its area must be constantly extending. Consequently, after all 
the territory south of the line above named, including Texas, 
was formed into slave-holding states, and admitted into the 
union, the slave-holders were not satisfied, and persistent efforts 

*Also served during the old French War. 
53 



418 HI ST OB Y OF GAIW^EB. 

were imule to extend the system north of oG^ 30'. The terri- 
tories of Kansas and Nebraska were opened for settlement, and 
desperate etibrts were made for the introdnetion of slavery 
therein. Notwithstanding it would be a direet violation of the 
compromise of 1820, there were northern men, in Congress, who, 
for the sake of peace, were willing to submit to the demands ot 
the South ; while others were in favor of leaving the question 
of slavery or no slavery to the people of the territories, after 
having been admitted, as states into the union : while others still 
were for forever prohibiting slavery north of the line men- 
tioned, in the compromise of 1820. Hence in the presidential 
campaign of 1860, we tind three distinct political parties with 
their respective candidates, in the field, having deliberately 
planted themselves, respectively, on the following positions : — 

FIKST, THAT OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN : 

Slavery can only exist, by virtue of municipal law ; and there 
is no law for it in the tei'ritories and no power to enact one. 
Congress can establish or legalize slavery nowhere, but is bound 
to prohibit it in, or exclude it from, any and every Federal 
Territor}', whenever and wherever there shall be necessity for 
such exclusion or prohibition. 

SECOND, THAT OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS: 

Slaver}^ or no slavery, in any territory, is entirely the affair 
of the white inhabitants of such territory. If they choose to 
have it, it is their right ; if they choose not to have it, they 
have a right to exclude or prohibit it. Neither congress nor 
the people of the union, or of an}' part of it, outside of said 
territory, have any right to meddle with or trouble themselves 
about the matter. 

THIRD, THAT OF JOHN C. BRECKENRIDGE : 

The citizen of any state has a right to migrate to any terri- 
tory, taking with him anything Avhich is property, by the law 
of his owni state, and hold, enjoy, and be protected in, the use 



HISTORY OF GAUDNEIL 419 

of such property, in said territory. And Congress is bound to 
render such protection, whenever necessary, whether with or 
without tlie co-operation of the tei'ritorial legislature. 

The election of 1860, resulted in the choice of Abraham Lin- 
coln as president, and this fact seemed to be a decision, by the 
people, that the compromise of 1820, should be strictly adhered 
to. The South, finding they were defeated, immediately seceded 
and formed a Confederate government, for the permanent estab- 
lishment and independence of which, they inaugurated the war 
of the Rebellion, by firing upon Fort Sumpter, April 12th, 
1861. This event caused great excitement all over the country, 
and resulted in an immediate proclamation, by Mr. Lincoln, 
declaring the South in rebellion, and calling for seventy-five 
thousand volunteers, for ninety days, to engage in the suppres- 
sion of the insurgents. 

Gardner, like all other towns, shared in this excitement, and 
began at once to take measures to respond to the call of the 
president. 

Accordingly the first town meeting, held after the war of 
the Ilebellion broke out, was on the 30th day of April, 1861. 
It was called for the special purpose of taking measures for 
raising volunteers and for providing relief for their families. 
The following votes were passed, at the meeting : — 

" Voted, unanimously. That the selectmen be and are hereby 
authorized to purchase, at the expense of the town, clothing or 
uniforms, (suitable for wear in actual service), sufficient for the 
members of a volunteer militia company, which may be raised, 
by enlistment of the citizens or inhabitants of the town, and be 
organized, agreeable to the laws of the commonwealth, as a 
volunteer company of militia, on or before the first day of June 
next. Provided, that said company shall pledge themselves to 
enter the service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or of 
the government of the L^nited States, to defend and sustain 
said government against the traitors and rebels which now, or 
may threaten its destruction, if called for, by the proper author- 



420 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

ity, or authorities for that purpose, at any time within one year 
from the date of the organization of said company. Also pro- 
vided, that if an entire company cannot be raised in the town 
of Gardner, the selectmen are hereby authorized to furnish uni- 
forms or clothing as aforesaid, to such citizens or inhabitants 
of said town, as shall enter the service of their country, for the 
purpose aforesaid." 

" Voted, That the selectmen pay, to the order of the several 
members of a militia company, which may be raised from the 
citizens of the town, or to the order of their fomilies, in their 
absence, the sum of one dollar per day, payable monthly, for 
three months, from the commencement of actual service.'' 

At a meeting of the town held on the 29th day of June, 1861, 
it was " Voted, That the town appropriate the sum of one dol- 
lar per week, for each of the members of the families of per- 
sons, (inhabitants of the town), who are, or may be, mustered 
into the service of the United States, in accordance with the 
statutes of this commonwealth." 

These were the only legal meetings held, in the town dur- 
ing the year 1861, for the purpose of raising volunteers; yet, 
meetings of the citizens were often held, for consultation, and 
to aid in the efforts being put forth by the town. 

But all these efforts proved unavailing, so far as raising a 
compan}^ was concerned ; nevertheless, fifty-seven young men 
volunteered and went into different regiments, then being raised 
in the state, in 1861. 

At a town meeting, April 16th, 1862, it was "Voted, That 
aid be paid to the families of soldiers the same as last year." 

At a meeting of the town on the 23d day of July, 1862, it 
was "Voted, That the selectmen be and are hereby authorized 
to offer a bounty of one hundred dollars, (in addition to the 
bounty now offered by government) , for each and every volun- 
teer, who may enlist into the service of the United States, on 
or before the 15th day of August next, as a part of the 
quota of forty men to be furnished, by the town of Gardner, 
under the late requisition of the governor of Massachusetts, 



HISTORY OF GARDI^EB. 421 

and that the sum of $4,200 be and hereby is appropriated by said 
town, for the purpose of carrying the same into effect. Also 
that the selectmen be, and are hereby authorized to draw their 
order on the treasurer of said town, in the sum of $100, for 
each and every volunteer, (not exceeding the number of forty), 
when they shall produce to them satisfactory evidence that they 
are mustered into United States service, as a part of said quota 
of volunteers, to be furnished by said town ; and that said 
selectmen constitute a committee to procure necessary enlist- 
ment papers, and immediately open a recruiting office under 
their own superintendence." 

At a meeting of the town on the 23d of August, 1862, it 
was "Voted, That the town pay one hundred dollars to each 
and every volunteer, who has enlisted or may enlist under the 
last call of the president of the United States, to fill our quota 
of nine months men, before the third day of September next, 
the bounty to be paid when mustered into service." 

" Voted, That John F. Ashley, S. K. Pierce, John M. Moore, 
L. W. Brown and James H. Greenwood, be a committee to 
raise the volunteers for nine months service, to fill the quota of 
this town under the last call of the president of the United 
States." 

" Voted, To appropriate $6000 for the purpose of carrying 
into effect the votes passed under this article." 

" Voted, That the selectmen be authorized and instructed to 
draw their orders on the treasurer of the town, to pay the vol- 
unteers, in accordance with the votes passed at this meeting." 

" Voted, To instruct the selectmen to call a town meeting, as 
soon as may be, and insert an article in the warrant, to see if 
the town will borrow money to defray the appropriations made 
at this meeting." 

At a meeting held September 1st, 1862, it was " Voted, That 
the treasurer be authorized to borrow such sums of money, 
under the direction of the selectmen, as shall be necessary to 
defray town expenses, not exceeding $8,000." 



422 HISTORY OF GAllDNER. 

Oil the 11th day of October, 1862, at a legal meeting of the 
town, it was " Voted, That the town pay to each of the volun- 
teers, who have enlisted, or who may enlist, into the service of 
the United States, from this town, for nine months, over and 
above the town quota, not exceeding twent3'-three, $100, to be 
paid when mustered into service." 

It seems that, after the vote passed, on the 23d of August, 
giving a sufficient number of volunteers to fill the quota of the 
town, $100 each, there was a surplus of twenty-three ; hence 
the necessity of the above vote. 

There were, from this town, fifty volunteers, in the year 1862, 
who, with about the same number from Templeton, formed 
Company G., 53d Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. These 
were enlisted for nine months. Aside from these, there were 
forty-five men, who volunteered for the service, thirty-five of 
whom, were in the 36th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers ; 
three in the naval service, the remainder being in difterent regi- 
ments, making ninety-five men, who voluntarily entered the 
United States service in 1862. 

At a meeting of the town, June 27th, 1863, it was " Voted, 
That the selectmen of the town are hereby authorized to draw, 
from time to time, upon the treasurer, at their discretion, in ac- 
cordance with the laws of the commonwealth, for the purpose 
of rendering the necessary aid, to the families of those, who 
have been or may be engaged in the military service of the 
United States." 

After the year 1862, business having revived to such an ex- 
tent, that young men were unwilling to enlist, in suflScient num- 
bers to fill the quotas, which were required of the town, it be- 
came necessary to hire recruits, wherever they might be obtained ; 
consequently, recruiting was mostly done through brokers, in 
Boston and elsewhere, the expense of which was paid, by the 
town. The sum of $2,375 was raised by individual subscrip- 
tion, which was afterwards refunded by the town. 

On the 4th day of April, 1864, it was, " Voted, That the sum 
of $125 be paid to each recruit, for the purpose of filling the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 423 

quota of this town, under the Inst call of the president of the 
United States, in accordance with the act of the legislature, in 
relation thereto. Provided, that no money be paid to any re- 
cruit until he shall have been credited to the town, as a part of 
its quota." 

April 20th, 18(54, it was "Voted, That the town refund to 
the subscribers the amount of $125, for each recruit furnished, 
under the call of the president of October 17th, 1863." 

It was voted at the same meeting " That the town appropri- 
ate the sum of one dollar per week, for each of the members of 
the families of persons who are, or who may be mustered into 
the service of the United States, as a part of the quota of this 
town, to be applied under the direction of the selectmen, in ac- 
cordance with the statutes of this commonwealth." 

It was also "Voted, That the sum of $2,375 be raised and 
applied, under the direction of the selectmen, for the purpose 
of refunding the money paid by individuals, in procuring men 
to fill the quota of this town, under the call of the president, of 
October 17th, 1863. 

On the 1st day of June, 1864, it w\as "Voted, That the 
selectmen be and are hereby authorized, to pay $125 for each 
and every recruit who has enlisted, since May 1st, 1864, and 
been duly mustered into the United States service, to the credit 
of the town of Gardner, and for whom no town bounty has 
been paid." It was also voted at the same time "That the 
selectmen be authorized to pay $125 for each and every recruit 
who may enlist under their sanction, or under the sanction of 
any responsible committee of the citizens of Gardner, and be 
duly mustered into the service of the United States, to the 
credit of the town of Gardner, under any or all calls or orders 
of the president of the United States, issued between March 
1st, 1864 and March 1st, 1865." It was also " Voted, That the 
town treasurer be authorized to borrow such sum or sums of 
money, from time to time, as may be necessary to meet the 
orders of the selectmen, in accordance with previous votes 
passed at this meeting." 



424 HISTORY OF GABDNER. 

During the years 1863-4, there were twenty-seven enlist- 
ments, from this town. 

The following tables show the name, age at the time of en- 
listment, date of mustering in, regiment and company, date 
and reason of discharge, of every man who entered an}" depart- 
ment of the United States service, during the war. Those 
marked with a * were non-residents ; all others were from 
Gardner. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



425 



iz; 

o 

< 









54 



> 



fl) 


"1 


11 


;_ 


a> 


-^ 


<o 




0) 


a) 


iJ 


f ) 




•^ 


o 




o 




o 


o 


> 






a, 


'r^ 


5 


'r^ 




> 


*r^ 


o 




fi3 


r^ 


« 


« 




OJ 


<» 


t« 


w 


<K 






c/- 


^ 


!/J 


Oi 


.^ 


^*- 


««-. 


a 

K' 


■-*- 


^< 


«*-. 


0) 


i*-l 


;« 


o 


O 


o 


c 




O 


c 


o 


C 


c 


d 


-^ 


r' 


a 


i; 


C 


'/J 


a 


a 


o 


o 


o 


<*-. 


c 


O 


o 


t^ 


o 


o 






D a) q3 ® 

a V V )^ 



'''^^f^... 



o ^ 






^ 



.>>o 



o o o _r 



O X) 









o ?r >r ^ i; >< 

cc; W w ii o 



.^ a..= .= -a.= 

X r%: ^ :: X X • - X 



o 


o 


H 


O 


u 


Ph 


;z 


M 


1* 


o ^ 


iz; 




<: g 



CO o cc c<i •«* ^ lO 

to O CO o ^ • o 
GC (X) <X> 00 00 bCoO 



'^^ CO <^ i^o ^ 



CO 



X ►^ X -^ 5^ '"' C 



tP CO Ol CO 

to CO CO CO 

CC GC' GO GO 



GO (>a o c^ 

(M ,-1 

l-H ■ i' = iJ 

^. X -t X 



t 


:t 


■zi 


a 


— 














'M 














Q. 


o, 


a, 


o- 




G 


X 


X 


X 


X 


^ 


i^H 


W 


W 


W 


•^ 


Q 












'TT 


•^ 


"* 


CO 


CO 


CO 


OJ 




CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


■^ 


00 


00 


GO' 


CO 


X 


a> 


T— < 


1— ( 


T— 1 


— < 


t— I 






^ 


^ 


^ 


^ 


r^ 


-* 


^ 


04 


01 


•— 1 


T^ 











dj aJ a) aJ 
X X X X 



a3 


aJ 


aJ 




o 


CJ 


«j 












> 


> 


> 












a; 


0) 


0) 




CC 


«j 


C/J 




c*- 


C»j 


c*- 




O 


o 


O 




a 


a 


d 


^ 


c 


o 


o 


















~ 


•3 


•Z 


^ 










p_, 


Oh 


a. 




'/ 


X 


'A 




a 


W WQ 


CO 


CO 


CO 


>o 


CO 


CO 


CO 


CO 


X 


X 


X 


X 


1— 1 


-H 


1— ( 


»— 1 




^ 


^ 


r. 


(M 


5^ 


(M 


oa 


^ 


^ 


^ 


>i 




« 


a. 
a; 





X X X f^ 






fp 



o 



^cooco.--Xf>>'"^'M'MWioco^'^coeococococoeo 
lO CO 'O 'O 'r.4 o ■» 04 lO lO >c >o o »o «o 



3 o S o o S -^ 3 CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO CO g o CD g 

X X X X X X X X X 00 X X X X X X X X X OC X X CO 

^^^„^^_- ,^^r-l^r-H--l'-lr-H^r-lT-l^i-l'-l'-l^ 



o i^ i-^ i-^ lO c" »o CO o >o i-T o< i^ C5 CO t^ I- 1^ i^ '^ 'j; ^2^ '^ 



CiTt-t^X>0a0iMCi'*C0OO<MCD00aiO0a;-H^-^Q0l>- 
<NC004.— i(IviT-(CO'— I'MtMtM-^'^COCOOlCOCO'MfMCO'— i(M 



cs r 



aj 'X -r; 



x^ 






be 

X 



O 



^ ' — I ^ ' — ' ' a T .1^ .A 



„j Hilda's? 



w 



'^.9 



s o Q 5 P- 5 



aj a) 



Q ^« 



-l-D . 



1 1 6 ^ ?= 1 1 'i I -i IJ -p^l s 



•-sO 



„ a 

„_ _-; a) 



r5 9 • r "o ? 



d a d tT i; 



5c^ ^ a 



r d 



re 73 g g 



42 () 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 





















6 


< 




S 












> . . . . oT . . 




n 




1-5 <S 












• -5Si iJ.i^S^ii-^ 


a 


o 




pH 














■> 


Q 

O 
















'^ <v Qjoa; (Del) 
^ ^ X X '^ (n en oj 










>^ 






o^o oco-goo 
.2 -.2 -^.2 .2 .2 r.° ° 




o 






















cT-JS -^ o 


^ 




i^ 






'■5 -^~ '-5 — '5 '-5 '-S '^ '■S "-S 


— - ts 






y 3 3 s- 
:i rf cS ^ 


-t; 




'-0 

cS 






r; CD j: -5 r; £; r; CO •:: g 
.^ X '^ ^ "^ -^ '^ X .^ .^ 


•^S.^ 




53 










JS g" 




cc 


HQQO 


P^ 




Q 






W ^''WQ WHH M W WQ -W 


















•^ >— ' 


i^ 


OQ 




CO CC CO lO 






CO 






10 ^^co'-icococo ?;coco 


^ ^rS 


M 




^O O "ID O 






CD 






CD ^ CO CD 'D CD CO JTCO CD 
Xl— loOXCOOOX'^iiOOX 


CD 5r^ 


p . 




X' 'Xi X X 






X 






■20 X 2 






,— 1 r-^ I— 1 -- 






'"' 










O tf 




00 ira^ ^r L-^ 






l-^ 






1— 1 •jr' CO t^ (M CM <M • rH 'M CM 


CO 2 ci 


<1 








6 






CO Q ^ Q Q '-^ 

COOc/3COC» CBX^ iZ; 


d 


-< 


>fflffife^ 






1— 1 






OQM^a^OOOOOO 


WmPQ 


o 






Vi 


"C 




T^ 


"S 










6 pi<;^ 




<< 










T3 ^ 


-G 


r^ 




^ 


JZ 






GO 


CO 9J 
CD CO t^ K. 
CO CO «o "^ 


•55 


^ 


CO 


-* 


^ 


lOCMXi— ICOCOCOCOCOCO 


lO lO f- 


H 


(M 






(M 






^ (M 10 lO 10 lO 'O 


<M CM (M 


« 




















'A 


CO 


r-l <M CM Tt< ^ 


CO 


CO 


^^ 


CM 


^ 


-^^CM^CM'M'MCM'MCM 


rt ^ T-( 


^ 


O CO CD CO CO 


CD 


CD 


CD 


CO 


CD 


COCDCDCOCOCOCOCOCOCD 


Cr; CD 


"^ K 


00 


X X X X X 


X 


X 


X 


X 


X 


XXXXOOXXXXX 


X 00 X 


o ^ 


1—1 


"1 "t "t ". 'I 


'^ 


y—f 


'"' 


1— 1 


'"' 




I— 1 ,— 1 ^H 


Q » 


o 


0~ Cfj" T^ x" cT 


X 


CO 


oT 


QO 


— " 


cT i.o' 00 — r »-^ t-T i-T iCc-T t-T 


o^' x" co" 


bt 


CO r-l I— 1 

m" S — CD , ^ 




>~ 




CM 


be 


C*^ C^ 1-H 1— t T— " 1—1 T— * T-H 1— ( r-H 

£3* t'J. >:'^ ^ ^ j: ^ J. 


• • • 


& 


cz 




Cw 


CJ 


O 


G 


tj "S 


^ 


< 


X <1 -^ [i| f^ i^ -«^ 


OO^ 


►^^o^oooooocoo 




^ 


O fM >0 t^ CD 


O 


t^ 


CO 


^ 


CM 


oi a-. '^ 1— ( CO -^ t^ X' X X 


Ci CM 


(M 


CO ■* -* !M <^1 


(TJ 


<rj 


<M 


<M 


CM 


— r-l^!MC<)CO<M^<M'— 1 


CO -* CO 






to 












be 










w 










a; Oh 
C/2 - 


OS 








ai 










;^ _ ^ 





1^ 
< 


a 
o 

1-5 

a 
o 


-, !- (y^ '^ ^ 

g g 3 T ;^ 

K.*" r4~ oL <* 2 


- O 

^ o 


c 

a 
o 


'S 

OS 

Q 

53 
a 

'W) 

o 


S 

a; 
be 




■■3 ■'S 
Js^<^ 




* 


"3 Is .2 5 CQ CO CQ 


"o 


pq ca 


IS 




;qpq?qpq* 


:!: 


* 


pq 


* 


•A 


*OQOQOOQUOOQO 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



427 



OC' CO 



o 



5 so 



(B <B P 



« o aj 

> 



£2 C. 









t, jrcc' o 



^ ^ 







cu 








S a 
















ci oj 








o 




.-^ CO 




^h. 








> (B 


> 






5 > 




« 


0) 


fl3 




-^ 3^ 




J- o 


s 


to 


CO 


O) 


CO 


OS 




^^,^ 


CO 


■^^ 


c*- 


«4-i tz;' 


■^l-l 


^r ^c-TS 


,w 


^-1 


o 


O 


c . 


o 




m 


ro . 


O 


o 


a 
o 


5^ 


a . 
o *- 


00 <l 
I— 1 ,^ 


.;:; io ^'^ 

&.00 ^ 


a 
o 



OJ 



o 



CO ,(B 



g 33 20 .S ^ ^ a; ■ -^ 
5? o; ^ -Z .::, % y. 



= -n •-:= -r .rT -5 s 

« 1^ ^ ^ ^ "5 o 

s .j: .j: oc .i <a 



>;^ 



CD O >< >< 



->« 



C^ 



X 



CiH W WW -s^^Wr 



Q H k3 ^ 



•^ 6 'I "i 



O lO "^i i-O i-O 

Q CO ^ <xi CO 



OC' ""^ 00 CO 

rT2 ^ r^ ^ ^ U 

O O '/^ "^ fN 



P CO 
3 00 



-, ^ 1.-I . o 

O ^ ^ w 



^ «C lO lO xf^LO lO 

CD «:> CO CO ;^ CO CO 

iX 3C 00 OC -^l^ QC GO 



O -^ '— I ^^ •— i-H CO 

c^i rt CO CO Q CO 



CO « 
CO t^ 

'X (B 



nQ 



•^ CO (M fM 

a CO CO CO 

5 CO 00 00 

, C<l t^ r-l 



"q^ "5 .2 "5 
^ i-s Q i-j 



Qh O c^ o 






CA2 Q C/3 ■< *-! 






M 00 (>) PQ CO CO CO I- t^ ^-^ K. >~^ -r '^ ^ O "O "^ '^ 
rH -M ^ CO CO 'O 'O 'O ^■^ ^ 1^ 






CO CO 

CO CO 

X X 


CO CO 
X X 


■M 'N ^ -Tt< -f 'O 

CO CO CO CO CO CO 

X X X X X X 


-t^-H'M — ^'*^-*^'*'-7t<05— ^'MOlr-HO-li— 1>— iCO 

cococococococococococococococDcococococo 

X X X. X X X X X X X c» X X X X X X X X X 





'Oo-— '^crsc^o^OoOcociOiio— ^CiC5 — c:io:)Oc<icoi~-i^c;i^--00 

^H^^f^—i _^-^H.— I -H C^lOaOJ CNS<I,— I,— |T— Ir-H^j^^.-^COCO'N 

o iy._>^^ U ■zp J. '-^ i:' _; ^f' ^ ^ ^ 1^ ^ 3 c- = :i ^ « 5P -■ -^ ^ ■"■ -^ H. S. 



»o 


'N 


-TJ 


_ 


-+ 


. 


CO 


^ 


X 


X 


CO 


X 


Cfl 


Oi 


_^ 


X 


Ci 


CO 


1 


^ 


1—1 


c; 


_ 


CO 


X 


CO 


o 


X 


-^ 


CO 


G<J 


■N 


OJ 


oa 


'T^ 


'M 


CO 


(Ta 


'"' 


CO 


CM 


CO 


<N 


CM 


CO 


-M 


^ 


'N 


CO 


CO 


^ 


oo 


'M 


CO 


CO 


(M 


^ 


fM 


CO 


c^ 






2 E-H 



^ bo 



o 
O 






W J •- '^ 13 Si) ^ ^ ^ .= £ ^ •- 
ce <ij ^ ^c ^ 



0) K* b^ .2 — 2 






.2 -s « o 2^ >^_2 
— - la, s *-j p t, I. 



fe 



GO W 



^".2 



428 



HISTOBY OF GABDNEB. 



Si 

S 



O 

»— < 



P3 

O 






o 

iz; 

o 

CO 

< 






s 
o 

s 






>-. 



,_ 


<a 


0) 


Z) 


S 


□ 




z^ 




w 


a 














«£5 


> 


^ 


^ 


o 


P-i 




s 


33 


s 


c 


o 


r;^ 


M 


cr: 


X 


t_ 


O 


u. 


-l . 


"t • 


!^ 


ct 


»"^ 


< 


2 


~ 


c 


^ 


. 5 



- ^ 



.^^ 



- ^^s S^ =^ 



;. L^ ;_ L. 






^ '^^ .2 - .i£ 



o — c — 



« •- 4j -^ 



a X X X t- 

»~\ '■^1 r^l r^■^ /^\ 



— -^3 S :; CO 'j; a> 5 



H H S o Q H a 



X o 



CO "* ot a 

o CO cr: V? 

X' X X w 



s- ■ -^ 






CO 00 CO (>5 lO 

to CD «r O "iD 
00 X X X 00 



CM (N >1 t- X X ri 



3 — 3 aOoT^^ leH^ "^ 



■i> -^ >o ■>* 

t^ O to CO 

OJ X X X 



Q x'c 



ss = rt 

1-5 I— , h. 



O 

o 



f4 






C5 ^oS 



(>1 UO CO CO 
iM "O CO 



n CO G^ 

K^iO>C>OC5COCOeOX CDCO-CD^iCCO«3iO>0 

'^(M(M5^ lOOOS^I COCOCO iO(M(M<M 



'-i,-l'M(M-^iO'*-*COCN(M(M"'-i'*-^(MS^'M'-;'*(M'-l-^i-H 

cococovOwcococococococococococococo'^cocococDco 

XXXOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXX^XXXXX 



o of i^ >o^ o 00 rT ^ X t^ i^ f-T X X r~- i^ 



*-0 ^ L-^ r-^ — ^ X 

<M 5^ ^ C^ ;i^ <M 



'M'^ 6 *^.^ n>'^'^ < O 6 6 O A ^ < < < 'JO A O O >^ -xi 



-<*<NX^^XC^-<*COOiO-*OC<ICO-«*CD'— I'MOCsOCOXCi 
<M(Mi— i(M'-HCM^<M3^CO'rtl-^eOCO<M<N(MeO-<*'MC05<l(Mi— ( 



Q -^ 






S^ 



O'^ 





2 2 *:0 
.• tn e J* 


•t^ c: 2 S fl 


be r''V SH' - f" :S >. 

«. « 5 fcc^ ^ P= Ji ,, ^ 2 .2 .- 


O) t- rS ,/" - — 




^6^5h|^^ 




-=S ,^ ,^ Pm &1< &H fi. 


.^ fe fiH tn fe ;> * C5 * 0000 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 429 



^ce d 


































oj 


> 


































-t> 


Q 


















, 














>^ 


<N 


fee ^, 


















-* 














Ji 


. X ^ 




















CO 

X 










c3 


6 c3 


-^ 


2 « aj 2 














d 




^ 






'P 


'7* 


"> 


> > 




l?ii 


S S G ^ 


















. ^^ 






S-t 


^ 


i~i 


?-i ^ 


czj 


t3 -c -5 ^ 














Q 




.« '^ 






c; 

>c! 


CO 


CO 


a; a; 


p 




OC C) O I— 1 








^ 






a' 
• 5 










S "o 


O 


"o 


"o "o 

c o £^£^ 


3 


O V-M 

r^ CO CO 

.2^2 


r ■- •- o 




•-5 


CJ 


1^ 


Q 


5 


2 bo t; 

o .2 o 




'O '^ 
o « 










'^ 


■■5 '-5 ;^ '^^ 


f/3 


ri ^ -^ 


"' 'S.'S^T 




'-§ 


.H. 


13 


rj 


2; 


2-| 2 




ll 






fcfj'S. 


•3^ 


•|^ 


.'^ .h -2 "2 


2 


'l.''^ '^ 


;::> >^ ^ ;:^ 




• ^ 


^' 


..M 


,^ 


,^ 


• ^ >■ '" • ^ 




a;' ii 






g; y. 


/< 


PT 


jr jiJ'.i .2 


o 




l-H ^ ^ 1^ 




r\ 


^ 


—1 


^ 


j-( 


r-^'^T^ 




«C! 






;:^a 


W 


i3 


iq&qGQH 


^ »^ 


































'J) 


1-3 '■■'J 


































Ti 


<!' CO CO '^ 




-+ 




CO 


'O 


lO 


If: -* .o 




-*i 






CO 


CO 


CO 


CO O CO 'M 


CO 


-# « 


:=; -o CO G 




CO 




to 


CO 


CO 


CO CO CO 




CO 






CO 


CO 


CO 


CO CO CO CO 


CO 


CO — 


M "^^ ^ 5 




X 




X 


^. 


X 


XXX 




X 






X 


X 


X 


X X X X 


X 


2 W 


W ,-H ,-1 O 




'"' 




"^ 


^ 


'"' 


— 1 r— ^ 




1— ( 






^ 


.— 1 


■^ 


1—1 1—1 I-H T-H 


'-' 


oo' M 




o~ 




^ 


x' 


orT 


x" x" x' 




-r 






<>r 


c^f 


CT 


T^r ^' -T i^ 


CO 


'£ 


-^ . o 




'-' 










^ 
















^ CO -H 




n 






^, 




■^ 




3 


3 '='^3 




^ 






■^ 


a- 


^ 


"' ^"^ 3* -^ 


r-1 


^ 


3 !U .^ 


5 






s t^ ►^ ^^ -< ►^ 




1^ 






<B o 0) 0) -; ci ^ 
CZ2 CC CO C/5 ^ "-S O 


<1^ 


fs^ O G 


'xi 

r/J 


a 


> 


KKffiKffiKO 




dd 


^ooooioM 


/-^ 


P^^^ 


> 






d 










^kq_ 


^^< 






^ 






05 
»o ■* '^ eo 


C5 


X 




CO 


CO 


CO 


CO CO CO 


> 


Wco 


« 

K. 


"5 

> 


■* CO 


CO 


CO 


CO -H i^ 


'M 


'M 1-H T-H 


C<> Tj< ^ 


I— 1 


<N 




CO 


CO 


CO 


CO CO CO 




K" 


o 


o 


MO 


lo rN c-i 




•M (M 


•^ iM -N --^ 


'^ CO 


-* 


T^l 


<M 


'M 


>>» (M 'N 


'f 


-+ ^ 


-* 


^ 


"Tt* •>! 


■TJ 


(M 


<M -* -H r-- 


^ 


I-H '-' <N 


--D to -n O 


o 


CO 


O 


O 


CO 


CO 


CO CO CO 


CO 


CO CO 


CO 


CO 


CO CO 


CO 


CO 


co CO CO CO 


CO 


CO '-^ CO 


■X X X « 

I— 1 ,— 1 r-l ^H 


X 


X 


X 
I— 1 


X 


X 

i-H 


X 
>— 1 


X X X 


X 


X X 

1-H 1-H 


X 


X 


X X 
1— t 1— ( 


X 

I-H 


X 


X X X OO 

1-H I-H I-H ,-H 


X 

I-H 


X X X 

1-H -H ^ 


^ *>rc^i '^ 


C5 


o~ 


'O 


^ 


cs" 


cT 


^•~ _r lo^ 


o 


-jT'tT' 


C5 


-T 


O I- 


l-^ 


l^ 


i-^ 'N^ — r -^ 


icT 


■O CO TvT 


l— 1 I-H 1— 1 1— 1 




'"' 


'M 








^ 


--^ 


-^ 






CO .-H 


'-' 


""^ 


^ "— ' 


-M 


■M <M (>4 


= H-H,^ 


t^ 


■cf 


_>^ bit 


iio if 


bo toj;- 


>- 


' =' 3 


>- 


>- 


>^ w 


^ 


^ 


^ ^i:~' ^ 


b" ^ ^0_>^| 


5 <u ~ s 
>-i c/j 'Tj >-:, 


-^ 


'< 


A 


^^^^<^, 


1-^ 

1^ 


►-5 -"-I 


1 




-^OO 


o 


y — — o 


1^ 


^ ^ ^ 



T-HaiO!Mcoi^xccxcoTfixa5co>racocit^xo(MXi->-Ci»oxxc5-^io 

C<I^-(>1'>I(M(M'M<>Ji-hC^(Mt— it-Hr<3cQC^»ofN'MCOC05^COi-H(Mr-H-H,H-^'«J4 

o -J 

a- jr . J be J 




*-: -r-. « <y 



bo be 



I^ID * Whi^lJHlJHHH^JHI-Ul-U* hIh* * :^ * h— h-lt— I-H* -h-^^Jh^h^Jh 



430 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 







ent. 
, La. 










1 s^ 






0) cS 

be 

S CO 




o 


0..;=. , 






O "CO 




1— ( 
P 

o 


O > tH 

(-1 QJ <U 
. «3 ^ 

^ cpq • . . . 

f '^ « ?= o S S 

S •- oc -5 o g; « 






W |2 
1=1 .§ - 

O CO ^ 




O 

CO 

<1 


c o 
o a; 


. 3 C S 
fi O <l^ C 

's o ?> ty 




■TS 


1^ 


T ^^ 2 - - s 


s s 


bog "- S 


B -- B B .S % _S J 


^ 




6 W o 5 H H H 


E^H 


P^HHH 


H --' H H P^ Q H H 


ss 




-M 






CO 


•<?* 

s 


1 


OQ CO ci CO -o CO -jH 


lO lO 


CO >-!0 


^ fM (M ^ CO CO 


o 


h- 1 


o «o ^ CO cc cc ^ 

00 OC i^ OC' GC' 00 CO 


CO CO 


CO CO 


lI; CO CO CO CO CO 


O 


w ^ 


00' 00 


X X 


g X OC X X' X 


1 


■>— 1 1— 1 rjj T-H I— 1 1— 1 >— 1 


T— 1 1— < 


r-l 1— ( 


^^ T— ' 1-H ,— ( 1-H 


1 


fe 2 


.- ^ a; ...-.- ^ 


^ .- 


^ .- 


.2 c^irTo «N~(N 


o 




'-' S^ V^ lO OO (N lO 


■^ 00 


o o 
CO '-' 


1— 1 




5 S; « S u =J 

<5 CO Q 1-5 C/20 


1-5 1-5 




e. Gh ^'^ "S- o, 

0) O = OJ D 

02 CO "<5 CO c» 


o 


c 
O 


OOQffiOPQ 








--H CO CO CO <x> CO tr- 


CC 1-H CO t^ 

<S ,-H CO '^ 


"5 "5 

■^ "^ C^ r-l 


bO j; 

tc K» CO CO eo 1— ( CO CO CO 




w 


«M O i-O CO CO lO (M 


1— 1 


P3 


P^ 




c 




a 


< 






D 
















^ 


g 


r-l (M C^ (^ ^ C^ ^ 


CO CO (M ^ 


-rt^ -Tt< ^ -f 


CO^'M(M(M^<M(M<M 


o -^ o CO CO o o 


CO CO CO o 


CO CO CO CO 


cococococococococo 


W 


oi 


OO X CO 00 OO' OC 00 


■X X' X 00 


X X X' X 

T-H 1— 1 I— 1 T— 1 


X X 00 X X X X X X 






so i>r t^ ,f^ ^ t> ^ 


oT (T^" .-T _- 


1— 1 ^ lO CO 


c^ o '>^ J^ l"^ ^" I-" l^' > "^ 


tM ^ ^ <M ^ ,-H 


^ ,— 1 <— 1 °^ 


(M 




1— I 


fc'c ^- ^ ^ -c ^ ^ 

S cj o ~ 3 o :^ 


fee be be >■ 


be b(. bb >% bb >^' ^ ^- ^ >^J.^J. 


C3 




^oo^<ioc<i^<;s 


<<^<:S 


<5SOOO^OOO 


W 


Ed 
O 
<1 













t^ GO CO 00 OS O Oi 


-!ti ^ X (M 


•-' lO O -^ 


COCDXiOfM-rfCDXiO 


fM l7<I !>t •—' I— 1 CO rH 


<M C<) T-H -N 


CO CC (>4 iM 


(MfM^COCO'^CO-— ICO 


tf 












<'1 












o 




!^ "Sd £^ 






03 






llo ^' . 




< 


P 






r r r ,4 f^ 
'^ '^ fP ^ <i^ 

>^ t^ « v: ^ '^ c 

^ ^ 1 2-53.2^ 


d 


^ ^ _o ^ 
/,r a; ;=: bo 


g O S cAi P P ^ a, ^ 
(S*-5'-5CcSP Or- 

=So-£i;P?22Q 






.- .- a 4-1 c/3 _ o 

s? ?:: § o -^ >, s 

5 5 ^"^ ? O og « 
(Jh Jh i-U •"!•-? i-; i-I. 


7^ 7^ ^■y* ^ 


cS P CC S 

q; c t: o 
« oj a oj 

'■^ *"^ ><^ '■^ 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 431 



> 








> 








■* -* 












»ra 






C C3 




d 


a 








CD CD 












CO 






S-i t^ 






o 








GO 00 












00 




k— 1 


5 c* 




P5 


o, 








1— 1 1— 1 












1—1 




1^ 


qq 




> 










-M CO 












CO 






^ tn 




o 


l—l 


>^ >. 


>- 


• 












. 




















^ o 












o 




CO <B 
rH g 






^1 


CD 
X) 


c _. s 
;h Ui ^< 

u u u 




"5 

o 


O 


o 


o 


o 


0) 


-^ ^ -- >^ 

a 3 - -ti 
o o o :;: 


S s 

? ? 


a; 




t^ 


bD 


bo 


3 
bC 






0) 


OJ 


IB 

a 


a 


0) 


a; <B a -5 
S 3 2 _2 


t-^H 


OOQOH 


i-H 


0^0:3 


M 


Qc:) 


H 


t-l 


H 


H 


H 


w 


HHHQ 


c^ 








^ 
























a; 








■^ 
























O o 


'N >0 




■^ CO 


dJ 










>o 


'* 


>o 


lO 


CO 




CO iQ ^ -* 


a CD 


^a CD 




CD CO 


Q 










CD 


CD 


CD 


CD 


CD 




CD CD '^ ^ 


t-: T, 


'30 00 




GO X) 










00 


00 


00 


00 


00 




00 00 00 00 




1—) 1-H 




'— 1 .— ( 












T— 1 


I— I 


.-H 


<— f 


^H 




1— 1 — H 1— 1 'H 


T5 , 


^ ^ 




»- •■. 












^ 


^ 


«. 


^ 


^ 




*• ^ r^ v^ 


:ii x-~ 


t- CO 




1—1 T-H 












c» 


CO 


00 


1— t 


fM 




(>l .O 00 iM 


r^ '—1 


r-l ^ 




'— ' 


















CO 








^ >. 






"L^ 












r» 


^ 


<u 


^ 


a, 




P- 3 ^ a 


^ 




CO Hj 












^ 


O 


3 
^-5 


O 


CO 




=u a ksH :s 

CO l-S ^ ^-5 



^" .... y 



aJOJOJa) :!i*^Ji :ia 



'^^►!>b.b>.'0i0'^''''*''0 CD'^CO*>-*-«*<COCO'N'M 

ro ^"^ ''^ ^"^ '"^ /~M /^> ^11-1 ro lO ~ (TJ r>ci 



(M (M lo oa 



T-l^rHCO'^— I'M-*-*'-^-^'— l'-'CO'NCO^'^-H^H(7<l^'M^'*-*'>I^'— I— 1 

CDCDCDCD^CDCDCDCDCDCOCDCDCDCDCDCDCD^CDCDCDCDCDCDCDCDCDCDCD 
00 00 00 00 '^ 'Xi 'Xi '00 Xi '00 X) 00 GO '00 X' X> ■X) 00 'X) 00 OO X 'X 'X X 'X 'X X 'X X 



'^CDX — 00tD0 0^3^i-*'*'^SOXC5CDCi'^XC^l^X'XOt^-*'0>0 
'~'5i ^-t'— 1>— I — 'M'>l^H.— i^H(M "N 1—1 -Ml— (1—1 -MfM 

■g^^ ^ be bJD J be bl) >> >. >^ ^ _J S ^j£ A ^ ^D -g^ bio ^ ^ bD o >. ^- g >. >-. 



'^ 


CO 


on 


, 


O 


(^ 


as 


>o 


30 


TTI 


>o 


'M 


■m 


o^ 


_^ 


-M 


t^ 


TO 


-^ 


Oi 


1—1 


O 


^ 


CO 


^ 


x> 


l^ 


>o 


CO 


00 


CO 


CM 


<N 


Ol 


'>a 


'^^ 




i>i 


SO 


<M 


CO 


TO 


'"' 


CO 


TO 


TO 


TO 


TO 


T^l 


T— 1 


'M 


CO 


CO 


'^l 


CO 


I— 1 


TO 


CO 


CO 


1—1 



a - 



ta.^^ U^'Tj uJtl^ .• 

^r^Sg^Qg-o^^-go^oci^a.albgSg^^^^^^Sg 

>; S a ^.2 i^ ? 2 g C ;: I ^ g -a oT § ^-^ a- a ^' S ^- i J g ^ ^^^ ..' 
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ,Z^ f^^^ r^ <A ^^ t^ 1^ ^ f^ r^ ^^ >^ \^ ^ J^^ ^ ^ -fT ^ f:.'' P 



432 



HISTORY OF GAEDITFR. 



I 
o 



Pi 
O 

K 
H 



p:3 

p 



o 

:?; 

o 
(» 



O ci 



CO r; 

r-< OS 
^P 



:=: k> CO 






r- ,.;. >-,' 



> 



&.^Q 



-r- 5 '^ 



P . 






PHPOHHO^ 



'-C CO CZ) 
'"^ X _ 



Pi J 



> ^' J:' 5 

F ? S -s 

^ ^ ^ _ . W 



. X ^ ^ 



« c 






en 



CD P- 



fciu Si) Sc.Si P -^ ^ • F S 
a; a> oj O/'.rt -i- "!=^ .S .3 
Pi Pi Pi Pi H oTP oTHH 



o CO ira lo 

CO CO CO CO 
X X' X 00 



CO CD 

X^ X 



(>a • ^ ^ 






p« 






:: _ - K 



^^ 



^ CO 5 -^^ 


CD 


'^ CO 


CD CO kS "^ 


' 


CO CD 


X X P=^ x- 


W 


QC 00 






■^ 






^^r-s^-^ 




l^ X 


-- p 






bo. ^ 






kH cu :: 




i^ 3 


-< X> H-3 




Uhj 



o 



> W pq a Pi ci pi -^ Pi pi Pi 



w 
Pi 



CO CO CO CO CO 



►>h>COCOCO'— i^r>)^ 
i^ ""^ ict lO -M 'N C^ -^ 



-^(MC0^'>l-^C<l'MCN!>5'N^'rt<-+=0-M-rti^(M'Mrt,-H,-iC<l 

co-o.cocococococo:oco-o>cococo'^cotocococococococo 
x> X) X' X X X 00 X' X X X a; x x ^o x x x x x xj x x x 



O <^ ^ lO 



O0000X)t^>0<MC;O'^'*OC0t^l^~Cr5C0-N 









^O00-*O(M00-H,— ICDeOQ00OCO'^CD-^Tf<7-lC:^X — '-H 
C0CM<M(>»<MCOi— iC0<MC0-^C0^5<l(MfNC0C0^C^'Mr-i(>a'M 



< 



fee 



OJ 



c^ 



P^ 



a ;::2 



.2 '^ 



oi J2 ii ;=; — ^ .2 r' 



OS 

-a 

^ ■«'~ ^' 

c i: n 

Pi * P-( 



,/ ^ ►^ ffi fe- 

o "" - 

pc5^ 



dj 






O 

P^ 
o 






::^ ^ o 



2-2=5^^ 



§ s '^ ^ ffi P^ i: ^"^'"^ 

„rr) Pj a 5 -S . « T^ 



2 r'" 

5 fe 



a) cu a^ ij .22 ^ 



rii! 



-^ *; .Si t- 1- •« cS 



S OJ 0) 



c/5 Ph - -= 

'- C ^^ O 

-^ O ,„- C P 1-^ 

' £ a o ^ ^ 






P^Ph 



««<»'-„== ph 0^ ph pii S o" ^^ «^" 

Ph Ph Ph P-( Ph * * * - - -^ 



i '^ .3 -^ " fee*- Si 

Ti ."^ ~ fee fee fee G ^ 
, n , Or* o) ai 3 o) o 

Pi Pi Pi Pi Pi 






Pi Pi 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



433 



Time out. 

20, 1864, near Petersburg, Va. 

Disability. 
Oct. 2, 1864, Beverly, N. J. 

Time out. 

Time out. 
6, 1864, Wilderness, Va. 

Time out. 

Disability. 






05 

a 

H 

CD 

X 



CO (D 

« s 

G • - 


Timeout. 

Time out. 
1, 1863, New Orleans, La. 

Disability. 

Disability. 

Time out. 

Rejected, 

Deserted Aug. 23, 1863. 
8, 1864, Spottsylvania, Va. 

Time out. 
of wounds, Aug. 30, 1864. 

Time out. 
Disability. 
Time out. 


June 30, 1865 

signed. 

Killed July 
Feb. 5, 1863 

Died 
Nov. 26, 1864 
June 8, 1865 

Killed May 
June 8, 1865 
Apr. 26, 1863 




P3 

"^ 
^x 

" a/ 
5 '-^ 


Sept. 2, 1863 
Sept. 2, 1863 

Died June 
Mar. 27, 1863 
Jan. 30, 1863 
Oct. 20, 1865 
Jan. 14, 1864 

Killed May 

Sept. 2, 1863 
Died 

Oct. 20, 1865 
Apr. 4, 1865 
June 8, 1865 


o %<<^. >• ffi n: s a ^' 






(M.— in(>i cocoeoco'"^'^ 




Oj x> r/j rrj 

cococo-— 'lOio — r-icoxs;ci'~''~'cD 

lOiOiOfMCMiM -H^HLOOICS CO 

S =1 


X X X X X X X X X X X 


CD 
X 


CD CD 
X X 


"^(NfM^H^^T— i-^COCO'>lCO'^CO'OiO<M 

cdcdcdcdcdcdcdocdcdcdcdcocdcd'D. 

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 


".'".'".1^.".^.",^.".': ^."_"_ .^_^_^. _^."-" ^. "'^.' .""."" 1 


o'^cocfiooi>-t>-i--i>-a5 
'•- '^ 'il-^j£- H. 'ip 'il^ rP il- ^ 


b- u ^ .uJ *J ^ ^ ■^' -^ ^c bfj ^ bio bb bVjr; ^ be 
^ QO < ZTj (TJ '^ < < < ^ <^^::l, ^ 


— — X X — TJH CO 'Tin —1 


CO 


X I-' 

T— 1 01 


'C X X X rt' — 1 ^ ^ cr CO -H C75 
CO!>5'^(MfMCOCOCO'M^C05^'T^ICO^'* 


*Rand, Nahum A., Corp. 
*Rock, Charles 
Ray, Dewit C. 
Ray, Edson N. 
Reagan, Michael 
Read, Chas. F., Sergt. 
Reed, George W. 
Reed, Luther P. 
Remington, Diah 0. 
Rugg, Wm. B 
*Robinson, James A. 
*Roberts, Lewis 


Ross, Charles H. 
Symonds, John 
Stoddard, Royal B. 
vSweet, George W. 
Stone, Ai B. 
Stock well. Nelson 
Southwick, Elmer G. 
Stock well, James A. 
Sargent, Aaron, Jr. 
*Smith, John 
*Smith, William 
Sawin, Levi C, Corp. 
*Smith, William 
*'Smitli, James 
^''Smith, William 
Shehan, James 
Smeady, John 
Saunders, Frank B. 



55 



434 



HI8T0EY OF GARDNER. 



o 

I— I 

p 

H 

P5 
O 
P^ 

H 
I— I 

'A 
Q 



a 










5* 


o 

K 






Tt^ 


id 

CO 


-^ 


Q 






CO 

X 


cc 


u 


(» 






->« 


cc 


S 


G 




• ■ • 


(M 


<M 


05 


o 

'A 

o 


s a as 




i»r 


a =s a 


>^ >^ -^ -^ "^^ '^ ^• 

:;3 r5 S S S cs o 


'-i 


TJ . . - 3 . p S S 


«!j 


^ ^ -=. 


"^ '^. '^, QJ 


y 




p X o "p <» 15 a^ 


H 
P^ 


J J i^l" I'^^^a 


a? 


be '-' s be s a s 




q P p^pi tfp^HP^ 


Qp^M fNiEHP^HHH 


, 


CO iC 


lO CO 






CS ■* C^ (TO (M 


CO 


IX) <x> 


CO «o 






M CO CO CO CO 

1^ X 00 OC X 


Q H 


GO GO 


QC 00 






I— 1 -H 


I-H 1— 1 






-73 ^ ^ ^ _^ 


fa ^ 


*- «- 


„ 






<D ^ ^ ,. ^ 


o^ 


^ >o 


CO <^> 

1— 1 






- O (N ^ CN 




4> 








p Qj 0) aj 


■< 


3 a> 


S QJ 






Q 


H^ fiH 


l-S rx> 






<i VlKfi^ 


6 


ffi Q Q d d d .*^ 

p^ P5 p5 pd pd ^ 


■tj . tw c,_ ^ 

<! p 1— 1 M 








^ +^ *: *j -J "^ 

(D (D (i; a; (1) C3 


-* f^ C^ -^ CO 

rH r-H ifj 


05 




P3 ^ ^ 

"K-COi-I^COCOCO 
►^ lO (M lO lO lO 


W 












1^ 


5<1 -1* '^ "* '^ -* '^ 


CO Tt< ^ T^l (M 


^ 


^ lO -tH 


Tt^-^CMi-iCOTOCMCO 


to O 'O CO o <io o 


CD CO CO CO CO 


CD 


CD CO CO 


cocococococococo 




X X X X X X X 


GO X GO' 'X X 


00 


X X X 


X X X X X X X X 




<M O CO O ci cTo 


X' CO '-< c^ t^ 


lO 


Oi CO — 


CO CO l^ — CO i^ t^ i^ 


i-H r-( '-^ CO 


(>) 3vJ (M 1—1 


(M 


<M CM 


1—1 1—1 1— 1 T-( 1— 1 


b'o >^ fcb >-. >-^ ^ >^ t>^ ^ a "J^i" -J 


P 


>^A >-> bb be ^ >> > ^ H^ ^ 

k; fe h, <i <i^ o Hj g o o o 


^ 


t^ O l^ CO "M l^ O 


^ 1—1 GO no CO 


1 


O 1-1 X 


CO >0 X X l^ '-I CO X 


C5 

<»1 


SO '^l SO CO ?>) CO CO 


CO <M 1— 1 (M CO 


' 


^ (N (M 


c<^corHT-|(^^<^^«^^(^^ 












?Q 












■73 












|pq^ - 




a CAi C« 02 X C/) CC C/2 >-.CZ3 X r- 

co « * * * * * * ^ * * M 


-p-p ^ g 
■jj ~^ '^ a 

"-s ^ J= ^ 
* * * * 


d s t-^ s s .s 

5 - a .2 -§ J- =* i^ 
* * t>P»* ^ ^ i^ 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 435 











_j 


CO 


2 ^ c -^ g 








a 


. 
03 X' 










A> •— ' 


t. 
t. 
list. 

y- 

rgeant,Ma 

y- 

list. 

t. 

t. 

r. 2, 1864. 

n of service 

to 39th Ii 
mary. 
t. 

War Dep 










?5 

5^ 




. 




^ . 


Is ^ ^^ 






3 



5 


^ 


c^l •:! § 


aa'rX'^3>_ac:Q;-;:;'~'C^a"y 




a 







§ s a ^ a 


.^ .PH "- • "^ .r-. .-^ ij &H , 3 .— — 










t^ 'J-' .^ .rH .H 


H H H Q G? Q H H H s ,^^ .^ c/:. H O 

^ W '-M 




H 


EhOHHQ h qh 


CO lO Oi 












■^O'^iiO CMCOiO'OGcoC-^CO'M 




lO 


^ 


>o 10 


CO (M CO 


COCOCD^O co'^'-^^^-xSo^w^ 




CO 


CO 


CO CO 


CO CO CO 


QOX'OOQO 00000000^;;^'— I'-JXOOOO 




X 


X 


X 00 


X X X 




1— 1 


'"' 


T-1 1—1 


1— ( 1—1 1—1 






0" 


co" 


.4 x" 


1 x'<>'' 


(M^^ ^CO^r^ ;ifN 




<M 


(M 




1 ^, 


-J ^ -* ^ i CJ ^">^ "3 i^ H. ^ ^"^ 




►^ 


> 


2 2 


*^ <J *-i 













0.1 ^ ^ 


H, i-s 1-5 S G h-:, H^ X X <C 




3 
•-5 


c 3 
t-s>-5 


CO X CO 


P^:i.COpQ;i-&.^G^OO<|0 = 





> 


> 


Kffi 


a dc5 ^dMO 


W 




ci OS 




D5D3 >'d 






a 


CO 




CO I k> ^> '^-' t> to CO 


>0 >0 10 »C l^ fM C<1 -M — r-i r- -rj ^ CO 'X' 


X 


(M 




CO CO 


(>1(M(M7 1<N --^T— 1,— 1,— i(MiO<>4 


(M 






CO CO 


— i^T--'*^^'— icoeocoeocO'^'Mi— 1 


CO 


lO 


,_, 


'M t<l 


G^ 'f ^ -* O-l (M r-H O-l 


CDCD'^O'wCO^CCco^tO^^COOO 


CO 


<:o 


CO 


CO CD 


CO CO CO CO' CO CO CO CO 


X' X CO 00 X 00 X 'Xi X X X X X X' X 


X 


X 


X 


X X 


X X X X OO X X X 


'~1'~1~1'~1'~1. ., .^'~''~''^'~1'^'~''~1'~''„''"^.1„'1'1\.'.1'^-"^'1'~ 1 


t^ c; ic r> =0 lo »o r--^ G^ ^ '^^ r^ CN^ i-^ «-" 


^H 





01 


Ci t- 


C5 ~ lO '>' Oi ~ t^ 


"-^ 




(M 




ri r^^ -— ^ 


-: = "£. c H- !^ ^ ^ i'^ ^i^' ^13 ^ c -: - 


fci 


^ 


^ 


fcc be 


bio r^ >> bt ii ^ ^ *J 


0k^.:c^x^^G^<^^400^ 






C^l-^COXXCOCOiO'M'M^eO^OCSCO 


-+ 


'^ 


^^ 


>0 CO 


t^t^'NOlXO-^T^I 


(7M(MrN:>^r-ICOC^(N5vl(>4(M<M(M(MCO 


'N 


(M 


0-1 


^ CO 


CO tM N fM r-H (M (M CO 


Sergt. 

Corp, 
.ergt. 

eG. 

St Sergt. 

, Mus. 






d 






ard P. 

dward 
orge W. 
orge W. 

dward, 
red P. 
red P., 

BS, 1st S 

s 

•les E. 

Elbridg 

n W., 1 

elet 

inner P. 


fee 

t/3 






^2 


. » == ^ d 1 ,4 


Iker, Edw 
itman, Ei 
Iboro, Ge^ 
Iboro, Ge 
od, Levi 
ittaker, P> 
ipple, Alf 
ipple, Alf 
son, Jami 
Ich, Jame 
son. Char 
oodward, 
llace, Joh 
bur, Lepr 
itney, Sui 


a 




a. ^ 


od, Alden 
hite, Johi 
alton. Lei 
eiss, Reul 
ight. Hen 
right, Wi 
od. Franc 
mg, Rufui 


a 


5 




£ 


^^i^^^Sf ^'^^gf ^g^ 


* 


* 


la's c^;?»>"t,> jf 



436 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

COST OF THE WAR TO THE TOWN IN MONEY. 

The whole number of men furnished by the town, for the war 
was two hundred and ninety-eight, which was a surplus of nine- 
teen, over and above all demands. Six were commissioned 
officers. The total amount of money raised and expended, by 
the town for Avar purposes, exclusive of state aid, was $23,062.- 
27. In addition to this, $13,343.70 were raised by voluntary 
subscription. 

The amount of money paid, during the war, by the town for 
state aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the commonwealth, 
was as follows: In 1861, $1,053.54 ; in 1862, $4,068.10 ; in 
1863, $6,050.25; in 1864, $3,791.23 ; in 1865, $2,400.00. To- 
tal amount, $17,363.12. 

As this last named sum was refunded by the state, it might 
be supposed by some, that it did not really come out of the town, 
but as the state was taxed to pay it, and this town being about 
on an average with other towns, it is fair to infer that the tax 
paid by this town, is about equivalent to the sum received. 

In 1862, there was a " Soldiers' Aid Society" formed by the 
the ladies of the town, who met once a week, at first, and after- 
wards once in two weeks, to work for the soldiers. These meet- 
ings were well attended, sometimes as many as one hundred 
being present at one time. They received contributions of any- 
thing that could be converted into articles suitable for hospital 
use, or for clothing for soldiers in the field. It is not known 
exactly what the value in money, of what was sent by them, 
would be, as the articles were not all inventoried, but it appears 
from their record that at one time they sent a box valued at $190, 
and at another time a box and barrel of articles valued at $60. 
It would be safe to put the amount expended by the ladies in 
their organized capacity, and of private individuals, who sent 
articles of clothing and other necessaries, to their friends, at 
$1000, making the cost in mone}' to the town during the war as 
follows : — 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 437 

Raised and expended by the town $23,062.27 

Raised by voluntary subscriptions 13,343.70 

Paid state aid to soldiers or their families 17,363.12 

Sent by the Soldiers Aid Society, to the soldiers, 
through the Christian and Sanitary Commission 
and by individuals, direct to the soldiers 1,000.00 

Making a total of $54,769 09 

Nor is this all. State aid is still paid to disabled soldiers and 
their families, and since the close of the war the town has paid 
as follows: For the year 1866, $2,312.36; 1867, $1,567.44; 
1868, $1,458.00; 1869, $1,225.00; 1870, $1,430.00; 1871, 
$1,662.00; 1872, $1,098.66; 1873, $1052.00, making, since the 
close of the war, $11,905.46, which added to the above, makes 
a total of $67,674.55. 

There is another item of cost, which is of no small importance, 
and which ought to be included in the aggregate of war expenses. 
In 1863, the government having need of more troops, and volun- 
teers coming in slowly, resort was had to conscription. The 
number drafted from this town was about seventy. Of this 
number, twenty-five were accepted. No one of them entered 
the service personally, but all procured sulistitutes at an expense 
of $300 each, making for the whole $7,500, which added to the 
foregoing, makes a total of $75,174.55. 

The preceding statements relate only to the pecuniary costs 
of the war, which are as nothing, in comparison with the suffer- 
ings and death of our soldiers, in the camp and on the field, 
and the sadness and grief of their friends at home. Silver and 
gold are worthless, Avhen compared with the lives and happiness 
of those we love. Seven of our citizens were killed, in battle, 
three died of wounds, and seventeen died of various diseases, 
incident to camp life, and the hardships of long marches, and 
several came home, only to die of diseases contracted in the 
service of their country. The following are the names of those 
who were killed, or died of disease while in service : — 



438 HI8T0RY OF GARDJSfER, 

Walter Bickford, killed at Cedar Mount, Va., Aug. 9, 1862. 

Joel J. Brooks, died at Libby Prison, Va., 

Samuel B. Clapp, died at Alexandria, Va., Dec. 14, 1861. 

George Clark, died at Baton Rouge, La., Apr. 13, 1863. 

George F. Conant, died at Washington, N. C, Sept. 7, 1863. 

Asahel Clapp, died at Clinton, Miss., July 20, 18(i3. 

Augustus Coval, died of wounds at Annapolis, Md., September 7, 1864. 

Ai O. Dyer, died of wounds at Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 26, 1863. 

Addison Foster, died at P'almoulh, Va., Dec. 25, 1862. 

Charles Gilbert, died July 10, 1864. 

Hiram Gates, killed at Petersburg, Va., May 9, 1864. 

Gilbert H. Greenwood, died of wounds at Wasli., D. C, May 10, 1863. 

William B. Hill, killed at Chantilly, Va., Sept. 21, 1862. 

James B. Hogau, died at Brashear City, La., May 20, 1863. 

James B. Lathrop, died at Baton Rouge, Aug. 14, 1863. 

Martin Manning, died at sea, Aug. 14, 1863. 

Michael Murray, killed at Gaines Mills, Va.. Jiuie 27, 1862. 

Patrick McNamara, died at Hampton, Va.. May ], 1864. 

Alonzo Perley, died at Mound City, 111., Aug. 19, 1863. 

William H. Pratt, died at Crab Orchard, Ky., Oct. 6, 1863. 

Daniel B. Rugg, died at Baton Rouge, La., Mar. 29, 1863. 

George F. Robbius, killed at Chantilly, Va., Sept. 1, 1862. 

Dewitt C. Ray, died near Petersburg, Va., July 20, 1864. 

Michael Reagan, died in Beverly, N. J., Oct. 2, 1864. 

Luther P. Reed, killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. 

Ai B. Stone, died at New Orleans, June 1, 1863. 

Edward Van Benthusen, died at Brashear City, La., May 20, 1863. 

Besides those of our citizens who enlisted to fill the quota of 
Gardner, there were several who volunteered and were accred- 
ited to other towns. Of the whole number of soldiers credited 
to this town, 9.61 per cent, were killed, or died before reaching 
home. 

The whole number of men called into the national service, 
during the war, was 2,088,523. Ten per cent, of the whites and 
about 15 per cent, of the blacks were killed or died while in 
service. 

The war of the Kebellion was virtually ended by the surren- 
der of Lee and his army on the 9th of April, 1865, and in less 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 439 

than four months, six hundred and forty thousand, eight hundred 
and six soldiers of the Union army were mustered out of service 
and returned to their homes, most of them entering immediately 
into their former industrial pursuits.* 

We close this chapter with a quotation from the very able 
report, (House Doc. No. 7), made by Mr. Wentworth to the 
legislature in 1867 : "No better evidence of the determination 
of the people of the Commonwealth to support the General 
Government in the war, can perhaps be found than the individ- 
ual contributions given in aid of its prosecution, which, in many 
of the towns, were astonishingly large. In Bradford, Water- 
town, Gardner, Mendon and Templeton, they exceeded five 
dollars to each inhabitant ; in Somerville, seven ; in West Cam- 
bridge, eight; in Leyden, nine; in Longmeadow, ten, and in 
Belmont ten." 

*Greeley's Great Conflict, vol. 2, p. 759. 



440 HISTORY OF GARDNEIL 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

SCHOOLS. 

" The room displays 
Long rows of desk and bench ; the former stain'd 
And streak'd with blots and trickles of dried ink, 
Lumber'd with maps and slates, and well-thumb"d books, 
And carv'd with rude initials." — Street's Poems. 

" Yet, on her rocks, and on her sands. 
And wintry hills, the school house stands. 
And what her rugged soil denies, 
The harvest of the mind supplies." — Whittier. 

"And then, the whining school boy, with his satchel, 
And shining morning face, creeping like a suail, 
Unwillingly to school." — As You Like It, Act II., Scene VII. 

"There, in his noisy mansion skilled to rule, 
The village master taught his little school. 
A man severe he was, and stern to view ; 
I knew him well, and every truant knew. 
Yet he was kind, or if severe in aught. 
The love he bore to learning was in fault. 
The village all declar'd how much he knew ; 
. 'Twas certain he could write, and cipher too. 
Land he could measure, terms and tides presage, 
And even the story ran that he could ginige."— ^Goldsmith. 

^rl)EFORE passing, immediately, to a review of the schools 
JLJ of this town, since their inception, it may be profitable 
to glance briefly, at the origin, of our common school system. 
As is well known, to every student of history, children of such 
parents as were able to provide them with the rudiments of 
learning, either placed them in parochial schools, or furnished 
them with private teachers. This was the custom in England 



HI8T0RY OF GARDNEB. 441 

previous to the settlement of the colonies. Indeed, the Plym- 
outh and Massachusetts Colonies had been in existence for nearly 
twenty years, before any organized effort had been made, for 
the general education of the young. Whatever instruction the 
youth received, they obtained in private families. 

As early as 1623, three years after the landing of the Pil- 
grims at Plymouth, these colonists were informed that it was 
asserted in London, as something derogatory to them, that their 
" children were not catechised, nor taught to read." To which 
the reply was made, " this is not true, in neither part thereof; 
for divers take pains with their own, as they can. Indeed, we 
have no common schools for want of a tit person, or, hitherto, 
means to maintain one, though we desire to begin." In 1635, 
Benjamin Eaton, " was, by the Governor and Assistants, with 
his mother's consent, put to Bridget Fuller, widow, for fourteen 
years, she being to keep him to school two years."* 

It was not, however, until 1670, that the government of 
Plymouth Colony took any action regarding the establishment 
of public schools, at which time, the General Court, " upon 
divers serious considerations, them thereunto moving, did freely 
give and grant all such profits as might or should annually 
accrue, or grow due to this colony, from time to time, for fish- 
ing with nets or seines, at Cape Cod, for mackerel, bass or her- 
rings, as l)y the said grant doth fully appear, to be employed 
and improved for and towards a free school, in some town of 
this jurisdiction, for the training up of youth, in literature, for 
the good and benefit of posterity."! I^ will be seen, b}^ the 
above, that the early colonists were not ignorant of the intimate 
relation existing between fish, and intellectual vigor. 

In 1641, the first step, taken by the central government of 
Massachusetts, in respect to education, was a request " that the 
elders would make a catechism for the instruction of youth in 
the grounds of religion." Shortly after, in consideration of " the 

*Plymouth Colony Records, vol. 1, p. 37. 
fPlymouth Colony Records vol. 5, p. 107. 

56 



442 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

great neglect of many parents and masters, in training np their 
children in learning and labor and other employments which 
might be profitable to the commonwealth," power was given to 
the selectmen of towns, to "take acconnt, fron) time to time, 
of all parents and masters, and of their children, concerning 
their calling and employment of their children, especialh^ of 
their ability to read and understand the principles of religion 
and the capital laws of the country." Selectmen were also au- 
thorized with " consent of an}^ court or the magistrate, to put 
forth apprentices, the children of such as they should find not 
to be able and fit to employ and bring them up,"* and were 
indicted by the grand jurors, if they neglected their duty. Ac- 
cording to Palfrey, "Boston had a school, with some sort of 
public encouragement, in its fifth year," the inhabitants voting 
" that our brother, Philemon Pormont be entreated to become 
school-master for the teaching and nurturing the youth among 
us."t 

In 1641, the income from Deer Island, in Boston Harbor, 
was appropriated for the support of a school. In New Haven, 
Conn., as early as 1642, it was "ordered that a free school 
should be set up," and that Mr. Davenport and the magistrates 
should " consider what yearly allowance was meet to be given 
to it, out of the common stock of the town, and also what rules 
and orders were meet to be observed in and about the same." 
The first school-master of New Haven, was the renowned Ezekiel 
Cheever, afterwards of Boston, to whom, with Corlet, of Cam- 
bridge, Cotton Mather accords the praise of saving New Eng- 
land from barbarism. He thus commemorates Cheever's long 
life and labors : — 

''He lived, and to vast age no illness knew; 
Till Time's scythe waiting for him rusty grew. 
He lived and wrought ; his labors were immense, 
But ne'er declined to preterperfect tense." 

It was not, however, until 1647, that Massachusetts, during 
the administration of Governor Winthrop, of whom "to love 

♦Massachusetts Eecords, vol. 2, p. 6-7. fSnow's History of Boston, p. 348. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 443 

and be beloved was his soul's paradise," took action upon the 
question of public schools, in these remarkable words : — 

"It being one chief project of that old clelucler, Satan, to 
keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former 
times by keeping them in an unknown tongue, so, in these 
latter times, by persuading from the use of tongues, that so at 
least the true sense and meaning of the original might be 
clouded hy false glosses of saint-seeming deceivers, — that learn- 
ing may not be buried in the grave of our fathers, in the church 
and commonwealth, tlie Lord assisting our endeavors ; — 

"It is therefore ordered, that every township in this juris- 
diction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of 
fifty householders, shall then forthwith appoint one within their 
town to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to write 
and read, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or 
masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in general, by 
way of supply, as the major part of those that order the pru- 
dentials of the town shall appoint; provided, those that send 
their children be not oppressed b}' paying much more than they 
can have them taught for in other towns. And it is further 
ordered, that when any town shall increase to the number of 
one hundred families or householders, they shall set up a gram- 
mar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so 
far as they ma}^ be fitted, for the University; provided, that if 
any town neglect the performance hereof above one year, that 
every such town shall pay five pounds to the next school, till 
they shall perform this order."* 

It will now be seen, from what has been stated, that the 
subject of public instruction, out of which has come the com- 
mon school system of our land, the pride and glory of the 
nation, was early taken into consideration, by our Pilgrim 
Fathers and their immediate descendants. It will also be seen, 
that the great object which these worthy men had in view, pri- 
marily, was the religious instruction of their children. As 

*Massachusetts Eecords, vol. 2, p. 203. 



444 HISTORY OF GAllDNER. 

Palfrey says, " learning, after religion and social order, was 
the object nearest to the hearts of the New England Fathers. 
Rather, it should be said, they were persuaded that social order 
and a religious character could not subsist in the al)sence of 
mental culture." Hence it was, that they founded public 
schools, and provided for their maintenance, by enforced taxa- 
tion, and compulsory attendance. Nor should it be forgotten 
that we are to-day indebted, for our common school sj^stem, to 
men of liberal education, who had passed through the curric- 
ulum of Oxford and Cambridge, men of broad and fine culture, 
who like Harvard, Brewster, Hooker, Davenport and Stone, 
having, some of them, founded the college, proceeded after- 
ward to estal)lish the high, the grammar and the common school. 

For as President J. H. Seelye, of Amherst College says, 
"the historical fact has always been, that the higher has first 
descended upon and breathed its inspiration into the lower, 
before the latter has shown any impulse to improvement. In 
our processes of education, the higher schools have not grown 
out of the lower and do not rest upon them, but the higher school 
is historically first, and the lower one is not its precursor, ])ut 
its product ; there is no law of evolution by which the common 
school grows up into the college, for as an historical fact, the 
college is actually first, and gives birth to the common school. 
It is not by the lower education of the many, that we come to 
have the higher education of the few, but the exact converse of 
this, is the universal rule." 

What Carlyle says of Protestantism in Europe, is true of the 
outcome of it, in America: "Protestantism is the grand 
root from which our Avhole subsequent European history branches 
out." Permeated and inspired by this conviction of the para- 
mount value and necessity of the universal diffusion of general 
knowledge, so early developed in the colonies of New England, 
the fathers, of this town, as we shall now see, began at once to 
make provision, according to their ability, for the instruction 
of their children. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 445 

FIRST DIVISION OF THE TOWN INTO DISTRICTS. 

In the warnint for the first annual town meeting, for March 
7th, 178G, there was the following article : — 

" To see if the town will grant money for schooling, and act 
anything relating to schools, as they shall think best when met." 
Upon this article, the town "Voted, To choose a committee of 
three to divide the town into four squadrons and make report 
at the adjournment of the meeting." At the adjourned meet- 
ing, March 14th, the town " Voted, To accept of the report of 
the school committee, which was to divide the town into four 
squadrons or districts, namely, South, West, North and East, 
giving the names of the families residing within the limits 
named by the committee." At a town meeting held April 3d, 
1786, there was a vote '• to divide one-half of the school money 
into four equal divisions ; and the rest of the money to be 
divided into the said divisions according to the number of 
scholars from twenty-one years of age, down to four years old. 
Each squadron to provide their own school-master, or mistress, 
and have liberty for to say how much shall be kept in a woman's 
school, they not exceeding more than one-half of the money, 
in a woman's school. Voted, To choose four persons, one in 
each squadron, to provide a school and to take the number of 
children in the several squadrons, namely : William Bickford, 
David Foster, Ebenezer Howe, Josiah Wheeler." At the annual 
meeting in the following year, 1787, the town " Voted, To lay 
the school money out in the same form and manner that it was 
laid out last year. Voted, To choose four committee-men to 
notify their squadrons and see how they will lay out the school 
money and provide masters and mistresses for the same." That 
this committee attended to their duty is evident, from the 
following record, of 1788, when the town, at its annual meet- 
ing, "Voted, To allow David Tainter's account, for keeping 
school two months, of six pounds. Voted, To allow Joshua 
Frost, for keeping school six weeks and throe days, three 
pounds, eleven shillings and nine pence." 



44G HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Ill 1789, the town "Voted, To alloAV Betsey Heywood's ac- 
count, for keeping school and for board." Th6 record does not 
state the amount. Also, " Voted, To allow Elijah Wilder's 
account, for boarding the school-darae two weeks, six shillings. 
Voted, To allow Joel Wheeler's account, for boarding the 
school-master four weeks, sixteen shillings." Several fticts ap- 
pear from these records, viz : That, in these early days, both 
male and female teachers were employed in the public schools ; 
that the school terms were very brief; the wages of teachers, 
compared with those of the present, were very low; and that, 
board was correspondingly cheap. 

In 1790, there w^as an article in the Avarrant, " To see if the 
town will have a school kept in the middle of the town." 
" Voted, To dismiss this article." In 1791, the town " Voted, 
To choose a committee-man in each squadron, to say how the 
money should be laid out." Up to this date, according to the 
Town Records, vol. 1st, page 252, there was but one school- 
house within the limits of the town, and this " so old and shat- 
tered, that it is not fit to keep school in, and schools kept in 
private houses, and very small too, are not convenient for the 
scholars." Hence it appears, that in the absence of school- 
houses, the schools were kept in private dwellings, as conven- 
ience offered. 

In 1794, March 3d, there was an article in the warrant, " To 
see if the town would make any alterations in the school squad- 
rons and build school-houses as they see fit." " Voted, To 
make alterations, in the school squadrons. Voted, To have 
seven squadrons. Voted, To choose a committee to squadron 
the town out. Voted, To have seven men in the committee. 
Voted, That the committee appoint the places where the school- 
houses shall stand, and report at the adjournment of this meet- 
ing." This action indicates that there were no school-houses in 
town, up to this date. At the adjourned meeting the town 
voted thirty-six to twenty-three, to reconsider all this action. 

It appears, from the above record, that the attempt made to 
redistrict the town, making seven school districts or squadrons, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 447 

instead of four, and to furnish the town with school-houses, 
proved a failure, up to 1794. In the following year, there was 
an article in the warrant, for the annual meeting, " To see if 
the town will make any alteration in the school squadrons, and 
build school-houses." Upon this article, the town " Voted, To 
build four school-houses. Voted, To have a committee to say 
where the school-houses shall stand. Voted, To have twelve 
men in the committee. Voted, That the committee be chosen 
by written votes. Voted, That the committee be divided into 
four parts, that is, three of the committee in each squadron." 

This committee made their report at the April meeting, upon 
which the town " Voted, Not to accept of the report of the 
committee, for placing school-houses, which is as follows, viz : — 

" The committee chosen to pitch upon the spots to build 
school-houses, report as follows : That one be built at the crotch 
of the road, by Joel Wheeler's ; and one at the crotch of the 
road by Daniel Parline's ; and one, five and twenty rods from 
the corner, by Capt. Bickford's barn, towards Capt. Jackson's ; 
and one near to Joseph Payson's. Motion was made and sec- 
onded, to have five school-houses. Then voted to have five 
school-houses, and voted to set the fifth school-house at the 
crotch of the road by Jonathan Eager's." 

At an adjourned meeting, May 6th, 1705, the town " Voted, 
To set one school-house at the crotch of the road, near Daniel 
Parline's. Voted, To set one school-house half way between 
Joseph Wright's lane, and Andrew Beard's house. Voted, To 
set one school-house at the corner of the road that comes from 
John Eaton's to the road from Daniel Child's to the Meeting- 
house. Voted, To set one school-house at the corner of the road 
between David Comee's and Joseph Payson's. Voted, To choose 
a committee to say how big the school-houses shall be, and make 
immediate report. Voted, To have three men in the committee." 

Having adjourned this meeting, for half an hour, the town 
again met, and " Voted, To divide the town into four equal 
parts, and place a school-house in the centre of each quarter. 
Voted, To reconsider the vote for the fifth school-house, that is. 



448 HISTORY OF GAIWN^ER. 

that school-house placed by Jonathan Eager's. Voted, To 
choose a committee to divide the town into four equal parts. 
Voted, To have a- committee of five, to divide the town into 
four equal parts. Voted, To reconsider all former votes, re- 
specting school-houses, all up to the last vote, to divide the town 
into four equal parts, and for placing the school-houses in the 
centre of each quarter. Voted, That the committee for divid- 
ing the town into four equal parts, shall say where the centre 
of each quarter is, and say how big the school-houses shall be." 

The town meeting was then adjourned, until four o'clock in 
the afternoon. Having then met, it was " Voted, To accept of 
the report of the committee for dividing the town into four 
parts and placing and saying how big the school-houses shall be." 
The committee reported its follows : — 

" The committee chosen to squadron out the town, into four 
squadrons, beg leave to report as follows : The West school- 
house, to stand at the crotch of the road, by Daniel Parline's ; 
the North school-house, to stand in the centre, between Capt. 
Haynes' and Lieut. Edgell's, on the road ; the East school-house 
to stand in the centre, between Jonathan \Miitcomb's and David 
Eeed's and David Cohee's, on the county road, where it will best 
convene; the South school-house, to stand in the centre, be- 
tween Westminster line and Templeton line, on the county 
road ; the said school-houses to be built twenty-eight b}- twenty- 
two, and ten feet post." 

" Voted, To choose a committee t^j build school-houses and 
measure from the extreme parts, as reported by the committee 
chosen to divide the town into four squadrons. Voted, To have 
three committee-men in each squadron. Voted, That the com- 
mittee in each squadron shall notify the inhabitants in each 
squadron, after they have found the spots where the school- 
houses shall stand, to meet, in order for letting out all the ma- 
terials, by lots, for building the houses, to the lowest bidder; 
also that all the committee shall notify all the inhabitants of the 
town, to meet at the Meeting-house, to vendue said stufi, they 
giving ten days' notice, at least, and said materials shall all be 



HISTORY OF GARDNEIl. 449 

cleli\erecl, at the several spots, where the school-houses are to 
be built, by the first day of April next." 

This legislation, however, did not prove entirely satisfoctory, 
for, on November 30th, the same year, the town " Voted, To 
make alterations in the school-houses. Voted, To set the South 
school-house at the corner of the wall, at Capt. Bickford's old 
barn, the west side of the road, as near the corner as is conven- 
ient. Voted, To move the North school-house to the north, 
over the causeway." That this question of school-houses was 
not yet settled, is evident, for, in the warrant for a town meet- 
ing to be held February 2d, 1796, there Avere the following 
articles : — 

" To see if the town will make any alterations in any of the 
school-houses, to stand ditferent from where they are now placed. 
To see if the town will build a school-house, on the common, 
near the Meeting-house." " Voted, To move the South school- 
house to the east end of the county road, at the crotch of the 
road, by Capt. Bickford's. Voted, To reconsider the last vote. 
Voted, To take in Ephraim Pratt's, from him to the Meeting- 
house, thence from the Meeting-house j to Simon Stone's, and 
take him into the south squadron, and place the school-house 
in the centre of the body of land, or the nearest convenient 
place to the centre. Voted, To reconsider the last vote. Voted, 
to set the South school-house at the east end of the county 
road." 

At an adjourned meeting, March 9th, the town " Voted, To 
set the South school-house in the centre, between the Widow 
Wood's house and Jonas Brick's, on the county road. Voted, 
To set the South school -house where the new county road 
crosses the road from Elijah Simonds' to the Meeting-house." 
April 4th, 1796, "Voted, To raise two hundred and fifty 
pounds, to build school-houses.'' March 6th, 1797, the town 
" Voted, To provide a chair and table, for each school-house, in 
said town." Although there is no record made regarding the 
execution of the town's vote for building school-houses, yet it 
may be inferred, from the last vote, relating to furnishing these 

57 



450 HISTOMY OF GARDINER. 

school-houses, that they were built, in the places, and according 
to the plan above desiofnated. 

Subsequently, eflbrts were made to change these school- 
houses, but without success. That these school-houses were 
plain structures, and entirely innocent of paint, is evident from 
an article in the warrant for the March meeting of 1802 : — 

" To see if the town will choose a committee, to see what 
repairs, if any, the school-houses need, and paint them with 
Spanish brown and lye." Whatever the school-houses needed, 
the town "Voted, To pass over this article." In 1807, there 
was an article in the town warrant " To see if the town will 
build a school-house in the middle of the town, or otherwise 
give the petitioners and others the privilege of building, on the 
common." The town " Voted, To dismiss the article." 

As showing an increased interest, in the prosperity of their 
schools, the town, in 1809, "Voted, To choose a committee of 
four men to inspect the schools in said town, at the opening and 
close of said schools, for the year ensuing." Here was the be- 
ginning of that system of school visiting, which has been prac- 
ticed ever since. Although the town repeatedly refused to 
erect a school-house at the Centre, yet it may be inferred, from 
the records, that one was built by private funds, upon the com- 
mon, somewhere about the year 1814. 

SECOND DISTRICTING OF THE TOWN. 

In 1818, the* town, at its April meeting, " Voted, To choose 
a committee to divide the town into school districts." The re- 
port of this committee was, " That the town be divided into six 
school districts, viz. : — 

" That the East district include Joel Matthews, Samuel Fos- 
ter, John Miles, Jabez Fairbank,aud all eastwardly of said line, 
including thirty families. One South district, including Reuben 
Gates, David Reed, Moses Saunders, Widow Thiah Wood, 
Amasa Leland, David Perley, Thomas Baker, and all south and 
east of said line, including twenty-seven fomilies. The South- 
erly district, to include Joseph Whitney, 2d, Asa Hill, William 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 451 

Bickford, John Kemp, Sullivan Jackson, and on the Turnpike 
Road, to Templeton line, and all south and west of said line, 
including twenty-seven families. That the Northwesterly dis- 
trict include Simon Stone, Jonathan Eaton, Ezra Penniman, 
Allen Perley, Ezra Baker, Jacob Priest, James Coolidge, and 
all northerly and westwardly of said line, including twenty- 
three families. That the North district include Samuel Stone, 
James Coolidge, Jr., William Whitney, Benjamin Howe, Eli- 
jah Travis, Nathan Green, Jonathan Merriam, and all north- 
wardly and eastwardly of said line, including twenty-three 
families. All within said bounds, to make a middle district, 
including twenty-three families." 

It will be seen by this report, that Gardner, in 1818, con- 
tained one hundred and Hfty-three families. At the same meet- 
ing, the town "Voted, That each district shall build and sup- 
port their own school-houses. Voted, That each district shall 
have the privilege of placing their own school-houses, if they 
can agree, otherwise, the town shall place them." At the 
March meeting, in 1820, the town " Voted, That the school 
money be divided according to the number of families that shall 
be in each district, on the first Monday of May next. Voted, 
that the school committee divide the school mone}^ if they can 
agree, if not, the selectmen shall divide it." This method of 
dividing the school money, was pursued till 1837, when the 
town " Voted, That six hundred dollars be laid out for school- 
ing ; that one-third of the money be divided according to the 
number of scholars in their respective districts, the scholars to 
be counted between the ages of four and twenty-one, the re- 
mainder to be divided into six equal parts ; that the school 
agents ascertain the number of scholars in their respective dis- 
tricts." 

The first mention we have, in the records, of money received 
from the state, for the benefit of schools, was in 1838, when 
the town " Voted, That the money, we received from the state, 
be divided according to the number of scholars." In March, 
1839, the town first " Voted, That the school agents be author- 



452 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

izecl to hire teachers for their respective districts." In 1840, 
the town "Voted, To divide two-thirds of the money ($700) 
raised for schooling, equally among the several school districts. 
The remaining one-third, to be divided among the districts, 
according to the number of scholars Avhich they contain, from 
four to sixteen years of age." 

In 1844, the town " Voted, To divide one-half of the school 
money ($700) equally among the districts, and the other half 
according to the number of scholars, reckoning them as the 
state does." In 1850, the town " Voted, To raise nine hundred 
dollars for the support of schools, the ensuing year, and that 
one-fourth of the sum be divided equally among the districts, 
and the remaining three-fourths in proportion to the number of 
scholars." March 23d, 1850, the question was before the town 
"To see if the town will assist the West school district, in 
repairing their school-house." Upon this question, the town 
" Voted, That if the tax in the West school district for repair- 
ing their school-house, at their estimate, of four hundred and 
seventy-five dollars, exceed the average of the Centre, South- 
west and Southeast school district tax, for building their school- 
houses, that the town pay the balance above that average, 
provided it does not exceed the sum of one hundred dollars." 

In May, 1851, the town "Voted, That George and Sumner 
Baker have the privilege of drawing their share of the school 
money, per scholar, jjro rata^ from the Southeast school district 
in this town, and paying the same in Westminster." March 6th, 
1854, the town " Voted, That the school committee procure six 
hundred copies of their school report, to be distributed among 
the families of the town, at the expense of the town." This is 
the first instance on record, of printed school reports. At the 
same meeting, the town "Voted, To raise twelve hundred 
dollars for the support of schools, the ensuing year, and to 
divide the same, one-third equally among the districts in town 
and the remainder in proportion to the number of scholars. 
Voted, To raise one hundred dollars in addition to the above, 
to be put in the hands of the school committee, to be divided 
as they think proper, among the districts." 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 4o3 

In 1857, a committee, of one from each district, was chosen, 
" To establish the lines between the several school districts, 
according to the records, and report at an adjourned meeting." 
This committee attended to their duty, and their report ma}^ be 
found recorded in Town Records, vol. 5, page 70-79, which is 
too extended for insertion in this chapter. 

At the March meeting, 1861, the town " Voted, To raise 
eighteen hundred dollars for the support of schools, the ensuing 
year, to be placed in the hands of the school committee, to be 
divided at their discretion." However, at the April meeeting, 
the town reconsidered the above vote, and " Voted, To raise nine 
hundred dollars, for the same purpose, instead of eighteen hun- 
dred dollars." In explanation of this great reduction in the school 
appropriation, it should be stated, that this was a year of great 
financial prostration in this town, occasioned by the burning of 
the Hey woods' Chair Factories, which occurred January 5th, of 
this year. 

ABOLISHMENT OF THE DISTRICT SYSTEM AND THE IN- 
AUGURATION OF GRADED SCHOOLS. 

Acting in accordance with the provisions of the General 
Statutes of 1869 there was an article in the town warrant for 
this year, "To see what measures the town will take for the 
appraisal of the school-houses, and other property belonging to 
the several School Districts, in the town, act or transact any- 
thing relating thereto." "Voted, That the selectmen be instructed 
to appoint three appraisers, from some other town, to appraise 
the property belonging to the several School Districts, and re- 
port said appraisals to an adjourned March meeting." The 
following is the report of the committee to appraise the School 
District property : — 

The undersigned, a committee chosen to appraise the 
several school-houses, in the town of Gardner, would respect- 
fully submit the following as their appraisal of said land, furni- 
ture, etc., exclusive of wood: — 



454 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

In District No. 1, the sum of $10,666 

In District No, 2, the sum of 2,550 

In District No. 3, the sum of 5,150 

In District No. 4, the sum of . . . , 500 

In District No. 5, the sum of 475 

In District No. G, the sum of 417 

Making a total of $19,758 

Sidney Fairbanks, ^ Committee 
Bethuel Ellis, > of 

George B. Eaymond, ) Appraisal. 
Gardner, April 20th, 1869. 

The sum of this appraisal, the town voted to raise, in addi- 
tion to the regular appropriation, for this year. Thus the 
graded system, now in successful operation, in this town, was 
inaugurated. 

HIGH SCHOOL. 

In the town warrant for February 9th, 185(3, there was an 
article "To see what action the toAvn will take, in relation to 
supporting a High School, as required by the 5th section, 23d 
chapter, of the Revised Statutes." This article was referred to 
a committee, who reported " that in the opinion of the majority 
of your committee, it is inexpedient that the town take meas- 
m-es to support a High School. Asaph Wood, Levi Hey wood, 
John Edgell, S. W. A. Stevens, S. H. Clark, Alonzo Sawtell, 
Jonathan Brown." April 2d, 1866, "Voted, On motion of 
Allen Folger, that a High School be established in town, ac- 
cording to law, and that the selectmen and superintending 
school committee, be a committee to carry into eflect this vote, 
and provide a suitable place for holding said school." 

Accordingly, in the fall of 1866, a High School was opened, 
in the old school-house, formerly occupied by the Centre dis- 
trict, as the best accommodations, at that time, to be procured. 
Here the High School continued to be taught, until its removal 
to the new High School-house, which it now occupies. This 
building has since been removed to a site near the depots, and 
is occupied by the Messrs. Howe Brothers, as a grain store, with 
a hall for the Odd Fellows, in the second story. 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^ER. 455 

April 1st, 1872, the town "Voted, To choose a committee of 
three, to secure a location for a High School-house, and pro- 
cure a plan and estimates for a building, and report at the next 
annual March meeting. S. K. Pierce, Henry C. Kuowlton, 
Francis Richardson, committee." 

There was an article in the warrant for March 4th, 1872, " To 
see if the town will take any measures for the further accom- 
modation ot the High School." Upon this article, the town 
" Voted, To choose a committee of three to investigate the 
subject of additional accommodations for the High School, and 
report the best plan in their judgment, at the adjournment of 
this meeting. Chose S. K. Pierce, Henry C. Knowlton, Cyrus 
K. Wood, committee." This committee made the following 
report, which the town voted to accept : — 

" Your committee are of the unanimous opinion, after exam- 
ining the building now occupied, by our High School, that the 
accommodations and conveniences, which it affords, are not 
what the best interests of such a school demand. Its location 
is also unsatisfactory to a large proportion now sending schol- 
ars to the school, and to others who would send if its location 
was more central. 

" Your committee are therefore of the opinion, that tiie grow- 
ing interests and demands of the town, require a new building, 
furnishing better accommodations, in a more central part of the 
town. Taking this view of the subject, we have endeavored 
to ascertain where the most available location, accommodating 
the whole town, could be found, and we are of the opinion that 
the most desirable place, is on the high ground, below the so 
called ' Atherton House' in the Hey wood pasture, on Chestnut 
Street. After the committee had decided on the location, they 
consulted Mr. Levi Heywood in regard to the lot, and he gen- 
erously proposed to donate a good and liberal spot to the town, 
foi- that purpose, in that locality, if they should deem it best to 
accept it. Your committee would therefore reccommend that 
the town accept the liberal offer made by Mr. Heywood, and 
that a committee of three be chosen to locate a spot, at once, 



456 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

and report at the next town meeting ; also that the same com- 
mittee procnre plans and estimates for a bnilding, and report at 
the next annual town meeting, to be held in March, 1873." 

At the same meeting, the town " Voted, To choose a com- 
mittee of three, to secure a location for a High School-house, 
and procure a plan and estimates for a building, and report at 
the next annual March meeting. S. K. Pierce, H. C. Knowl- 
ton, Francis Richardson, committee." 

At the March meeting, 1873, this committee made a report, 
part of which, is here given. " We have taken a deed of a lot 
of land donated, by Mr. Levi Hey wood, lying on the west side 
of Chestnut Street, containing one and one-fourth acres, which 
we think is the most eligible site to accommodate all parts of 
the town. The land is given on condition that it shall be used 
for a High School, and other school purposes; and that there 
shall be erected a building, on said land for a High School- 
house, in three years. We have also procured a plan and esti- 
mated costs of a High School-building, made by Earle and Ful- 
ler, architects of Worcester, which we think suitable for the 
purpose. We consulted the school committee in getting the 
plan, and it is approved by them. We believe the estimated 
cost of the building, above the foundation, not including the 
furniture, is thirteen thousand three hundred dollars, Avhich the 
architects are confident can be built within that estimate." 

This report was accepted and the town " Voted, That the 
same committee be authorized and instructed, to cause a build- 
ing to be built, after the plan presented, and grade the land 
within the three years limited in the deed of the land." 

The High School-building was erected under the immediate 
superintendence of Mr. Francis Richardson, and was ready for 
occupancy December 21st, 1874, and is, in all respects, a very 
substantial structure. The main building is forty-six by seventy 
feet, with a front projection and porch, seventeen by twenty- 
two feet. It is two stories high, having a tower ninety feet in 
height. It is constructed of brick, and has brown sand-stone 
trimmings, the under-pinning being of Fitchburg granite. It 




/ 



/ 





SITI^ 


■i^S 


" ■;.' '" 







-^: 



■^Ci 




HISTORY OF GABDNER. 457 

has three front entrances, all of which have open porches and 
large halls. At the right, of the main entrance, is a cloak- 
room for the gentlemen. Directly opposite the entrance, npon 
the lower floor, is a room occupied by the Higher Grammar 
School, which is thirty by forty feet. This room is twelve feet 
in height, and is nearly surrounded, by a wall black])oard. It 
is furnished with ash seats and desks, with a black walnut desk 
for the teacher. There is a stairway leading from the main 
entrance to the second floor, where the High School-rooms are 
located. The High School-room, is forty b}' forty -three feet, 
and fifteen and a half feet in height, and is furnished like the 
room below. At the rear of the teachers' desk, is a recitation- 
room ; also a library aud apparatus-room. These rooms are 
light and pleasant, the windows being provided with inside 
shutters. The basement is divided into four rooms, all of which 
have cemented floors, with partition walls of brick. The 
buikling is heated by furnaces and is supplied with earth closets. 
Its cost with furnishiugs, was twenty-two thousand dollars. 

The grounds about this building, are ample and well graded, 
being adorned also, upon their borders, with elm trees, which, 
in their maturity, in the years to come, will serve to make them 
delightful and attractive, not unlike the classic shades of ancient 
times. There is also, upon three sides of these grounds, a 
close board fence, Avith stone posts. 

The town is certainly to be congratulated, upon the posses- 
sion of its High School-building. Since its establishment, in 
the fall of 1866, the High School has been, in the main, fortu- 
nate in its teachers, whose influence for good, has been felt 
throughout the town. The following are the names of these 
teachers : Messrs. Asa A. Spear, Horace Goodhue, Jr., William 
J. Morton, George A. Bacon, Joseph Jackson, Jr., Rev. John 
F. Ashley, Charles E; Quimby, J. B. Davis and Frank M. 
CoUester, who is the present teacher. Assistants, since the 
fall of 1875, Misses Ella O. Dike aud Lucy J. Warner. The 
following is the course of study adopted in the High School : — 
58 



458 



HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 



Q 

H 

CO 

O 

w 

CO 

P5 

O 
Q 

I 

O 

o 

o 



P 



D 

O 

o 


















m 

s 











Keview of elemen- 
tary studies with 
s p e c ial reference 


a 


03 
o> 






O 




















-fl 22 ^ <u 1^ 
2 ^ si ^ ^ 

9 ^ >^ ^ 

(JH "iS c^i y 
























c3 

P5 


P3 


u 

a 
Pi 


a 

,a 


a 


a 





a 


a 


a 




a 



0! 

a 



0> 

a 











c3 

P^ 


03 




'a 

P^ 











2' 



6 


s 




6 
6 


> 


'5) 

> 


1 




O 

M 
H-i 
CO 

13 
o 


03 

e 


g 
s 


a 
a 

o3 

5 


a 
.2 

K 

a 


--a 

m 

a 


.2 



a 

a 



=a 

'(/) 

"3 

c 


a 
.2 



a 



=a 
■5 









.2 

2 


S 
cc 


a 
a 


a 

s 

,a 

a 










Q 

a 

M 

u 
a 

H 


bJD 

O 

o 
O 


>1 

'H. 

So 
o 

o 

■35 


e3 

sc 


'cc 
!>. 

,a 
Ph 




'm 
P-i 


ii 

;>> 
-a 
P^ 







Ph 


'E 





6 

a 



a 
2 



a 

03 




s 



pq 




a 


u 
-w 

< 


a 

a 
p 




■3 
01 






o 

H 


'■4J 

i=l 




s 

<! 


6 

a 

'u 


Ol 

bt 

< 


bj) 


o3 
be 








P5 

< 


bJo 

.3 
"S, 

V 




pp 


>> 

01 


OJ 

C5 


>> 

01 


0) 




2 



OJ 




01 

a 

a 


_bj} 
'C 
H 




•snisji 


-^ 


iM 


eo 


^ 


(M 


05 


^ 


(N CO 


-^ 


(M 


CO 


>— I 


sq 


CO 






•Hm 


?2:>.«» 


cfo^j- 


•.w 


aZ ?. 


?^.w 


•^?99 


ZPW 


03a5< 


\lVi 


LI P 


«v^ 


.(»6>, 


IV' 


fWO^ 





HISTORY OF GARDNER. 459 

SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND APPROPRIATIONS. 

We present here a list of the school committee for each year, 
together with the annual appropriation for schools, since the 
incorporation of the town : — 

1786. — Samuel Kelton, David Nichols, Ebenezer Howe. Appropria- 
tion, thirty pounds. 

1787. — John White, Ebenezer Howe, Timothy Kneeland, David Nich- 
ols. Appropriation, twenty pounds. 

1788. — No record of committee. Appropriation, forty-five pounds. 

1789. — Capt. William Bickford, Capt. Samuel Kelton, Lieut. Jonathan 
Wheeler, Jonathan Bancroft. Appropriation, thirty pounds. 

1790. — Elisha Jackson, Jesse Hill, Jonas Richardson, Joel Wheeler. 
Appropriation, thirty pounds. 

1791. — David Nichols, Samuel Edgell, Ebenezer Howe, Peter Good- 
ale. Appropriation, twenty pounds. 

1792. — Aaron Greenwood, John White, Moses Hill, David Foster. 
Appropi'iation, thirty pounds. 

1793. — Jude Sawyer, Jonathan Bancroft, Ebenezer Howe, David 
Comee. Appropriation, thirty pounds. 

1794. — Timothy Kneeland, Reuben Haynes, Reuben Partridge, Lieut. 
Josiah Wheeler. Appropriation, thirty pounds. 

1795. — Levi Fairbanks, Seth Brigham, Smyrna Glazier, Reuben Par- 
tridge. Appropriation, thirty pounds. 

1796. — Josiah Conant, Joseph Priest, Ebenezer Howe, Aaron Wood. 
Appropriation, forty-five pounds. 

1797. — Joshua Whitney, Joseph Payson, Joel Wheeler, Joseph Clark, 
Appropriation, forty-five pounds. 

1798. — Samuel Edgell, William Whitney, Joseph Edgell, John Pierce. 
Appropriation, fifty pounds. 

1799. — Ahio Whitney, Abel Kendall, Joseph Wright, Allen Perley. 
Appropriation, fifty pounds. 

1800. — Ebenezer Howe, Ethan Seaver, Jonathan Wood, Joel Brooks. 
Appropriation, two hundred dollars. 



460 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1801. — Samuel Stone, Beujamin Edgell, David Nicliols, Ezra Moore. 
Appropriation, two hundred dollars. 

1802. — Joel Wheeler, William Fenno, Elisha Jackson, Benjamin Clark. 
Appropriation, two hundred dollars. 

1803. — Samuel Kelton, Abel Kendall, Josepli AVright, Smyrna Bancroft. 
Appropriation, two hundred dollars. 

1804. — James Coolidge, Jonathan Brown, Thomas Baker, William 
Whitney. Appropriation, two hundred dollars. 

1805. — Reuben Ilaynes, Nathan Gates, Timothy Kneeland, Smyrna 
Glazier. Appropriation, two hundred and forty dollars. 

1806. — Lewis Glazier, William Fenno, David Foster, William Bickford, 
Jr Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1807. — Ahio Temple, John Putnam, Ezra Moore, Sullivan Jackson. 
Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1808. — John Eaton, Samuel Learned, Allen Perley, Adam Noyes. 
Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1809. — Adam Noyes, Abel Kendall, Daniel Banister, Smyrna Bancroft. 
Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1810. — Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Adam Noyes, Abel Kendall, Lewis Gla- 
zier, Smyrna Bancroft. Appropriation, three hundred dollars, 

1811. — Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Adam Noyes, Smyrna Glazier, Lewis 
Glazier, Asa Hill. Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1812. — Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Asa Hill, Lewis Glazier, Enos Kelton, 
Asa Richardson. Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1813. — Asa Hill, James Scollay, Enos Kelton, Levi Priest. Appropri- 
ation, three huudred dollars. 

1814. — Lewis Glazier, James Scollay, Smyrna Bancroft, Asa Hill. 
Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1815. — Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Perley Howe, Smyrna Glazier, Noah Fair- 
banks, Benjamin Heywood. Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1816. — James Coolidge, James M. Comee, Ezra Baker, Adam Par- 
tridge. Appropriation, three hundred dollars. 

1817. — Rev. Jonathan Osgood, Ezekiel Howe, Ethan Seaver, Allen Per- 
ley, Jr., AsaNichols. Appropriation, three huudred and thirty dollars. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 461 

1818. — Aliio Temple, Joel Matthews, George W. Davis, Walter Green- 
wood. Appropriation, four hundred dollars. 

1819. — Joel Cowee, Joseph Clark, Jr., Jonas Brick, Joseph Whitney, 
Enos Kelton, Simon Gates. Appropriation, four hundred dollars. 

1820. — Benjamin Heywood, Levi Fairbanks, Jr., George Scott, John 
Merriam, Seth Whitney, Nathan Green, 2d. Appropriation, four 
hundred dollars. 

1821. — Asa Richardson, Josiah Conant, Joseph Baker, Charles Green- 
wood, Richard Baker, Benjamin Stone. Appropriation, four hun- 
dred dollars. 

1822. — James M. Comee, Jonathan Bancroft, Jr., Simeon Leland, Eli- 
sha Jackson, I-Czra Baker, Perley Howe. Appropriation, four hun- 
dred dollars. 

1823. — Josiah Jackson, Samuel Learned, Edward W. Kendall, Sulli- 
van Jackson, Avery Turner, Ezekiel Howe. Appropriation, four 
hundred dollars. 

1824. — Noah Fairbanks, John Miles, Capt. Abel Jackson, Amasa Le- 
land, George W. Davis, Benjamin Howe. Appropriation, four 
hundred dollars. 

1825. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Daniel Spaulding, Asa Richardson. Ap- 
propriation, four hundred dollars. 

1826. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Levi Heywood, Martin Dunster. Ap- 
propriation, four hundred dollars. 

1827. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Asa Smith, John Merriam, Charles Child, 
Joseph Coolidge, John Eaton, Jr., Capt. Ahio Temple. Appro- 
priation, four hundred dollars. 

1828. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Levi Heywood, Clemant Jewett, Esq. 
Appropriation, four hundred dollars. 

1829. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Asa Richardson, Levi Heywood. Ap- 
propriation, four hundred dollars. 

1830. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Levi Heywood, Capt. Martin Dunster. 
Appropriation, four hundred dollars. 

1831. — Rev. Jonathan Farr, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Dr. David Parker. 
Appropriation, four hundred dollars. 



462 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

1832. — Rev. Jonathan Farr, Rev. Sumner Lincoln. Appropriation not 
given, probably four hundied and fifty dollars. 

1833. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Joseph Wright, Jonathan Brown, Jr., 
Rev. Jonathan Farr. Appropriation, six hundred dollars. 

1834. — Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Amasa Leland. Ap- 
propriation, five hundred dollars. 

1835. — Rev. Curtis Cutler, Amasa Leland, Rev. Sumner Lincoln. Ap- 
propriation, five hundred dollars. 

1836. — Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Amasa Leland. Ap- 
propriation, six hundred dollars. 

1837. — Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Timothy Heywood. 
Appropriation, six hundred dollars. 

1838. — Rev. Curtis Cutler, Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Timothy Heywood, 
Appropriation, six hundred dollars. 

1839 — Martin Uunster, Theophilus P. Wood, Jonathan Brown, Jr. 
Appropriation, six hundred dollars. 

1840. — Martin Dunster, Theophilus P. Wood, Jonathan Brown, Jr. 
Appropriation, seven hundred dollars. 

1841. — Rev. Sumner Lincoln, Jonathan Brown, Thomas E. Glazier, 
Samuel H. Clark, Joshua A. Whitney, Joseph AV right. Appropri- 
ation, six hundred dollars. 

1842. — Thomas E. Glazier, Rev. William B. Stone, John Edgell. Ap- 
propriation, six hvxndred dollars. 

1843. — Thomas E. Glazier, Rev. William B. Stone, Stephen Holman. 
Appi'opriation, eight hundred dollars. 

1844. — Rev. William B. Stone, Thomas E. Glazier, Dr. A. S. Carpen- 
ter. Appropriation, seven hundred dollars. 

1845.— Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, Dr. A. S. Car- 
penter. Appropriation, seven hundred dollars. 

1846.— Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, Dr. A. S. Car- 
penter. Appropriation, seven hundred dollars. 

1847.— Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, Thomas E. Gla- 
zier. Appropriation, eight hundred dollars. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 463 

1848.— Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harri- 
man. Appropriation, eight hundred dollars. 

1849.— Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harri- 
man. Appropriation, nine hundred dollars. 

1850.— Rev. William B. Stone, Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harri- 
mau. Appropriation, nine hundred dollars. 

1851. — Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harriman, Henry Lawrence. 
Appropriation, nine hundred and fifty dollars. 

1852. — Rev. John C. Paine, Dr. H. C. Harriman, Henry Lawrence. 
Appropriation, one thousand dollars. 

1853. — Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, Amasa Brown. Ap- 
propriation, one thousand dollars. 

1854. — Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, Dr. George Jewett. 
Appropriation, one thousand three hundred dollars. 

1855. — Thomas Wood, John M. Moore, Avery B. Whitney. Appro- 
priation, one thousand three hundred dollars. 

1856. — Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, John M. Moore. 
Appropriation, one thousand three hundred dollars. 

1857. — Rev. John C. Paine, Rev. Abijah Stowell, John M. Moore. 
Appropriation, one thousand five hundred dollars. 

1858.— John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, Dr. W. H. H. Hinds. Appro- 
priation, one thousand seven hundred dollars. 

1859.— John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush, in place of Dr. 
W. H. H. Hinds resigned. Appropriation, two thousand dollars. 

1860. — John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush. Appropri- 
ation, two thousand dollars. 

1861. — John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush. Appropria- 
tion, nine hundred dollars. 

1862. — C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush, John M. Moore. Appropria- 
tion, one thousand two hundred dollars. 

1863. — C. Webster Bush, John M. Moore, Rev. Samuel J. Austin. 
Appropriation, one thousand five hundred dollars 

1864. — John M. Moore, Rev. Samuel J. Austin. John D. Edgell. Ap- 
propriation, one thousand seven hundred dollars. 



464 HISTOIiY OF GARDJ^ER. 

1865.— John D, Edgell, John M. Moore, C. K. Wood to fill vacancy 
caused by resi^natiou of Rev. Samuel J. Austin. Appropriation, 
two thousand dollars. 

1866.— John D. Edgell, John M. Moore, Rev. W. D. Herrick. Ap- 
propriation, two thousand dollars. 

1867. — John D. Edgell, John M. Moore, David Keltou. Appropriation, 
three thousand five hundred , dollars. 

1868. — David Kelton, Murray Closson, John M. Moore. Mr. Moore 
resigned. Appropriation, three thousand five hundred dollars. 

1869.— David Kelton, John M. Moore, Charles Heywood, C. K. Wood, 
Joseph Burnett, Allen Folger. Appropriation, three thousand eight 
hundred dollars. 

1870.— John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, C. Webster Bush, Charles Hey- 
wood, Joseph Burnett. Appropriation, three thousand eight hun- 
dred dollars. 

1871. — John M. Moore, C. K. Wood, Charles Heywood, Dr. James 
Emerson, C. AVebster Bush. Appropriation, four thousand five 
hundred dollars. 

1872. — John M. Moore, Dr. James Emerson, Rev. John E. Wheeler. 
Appropriation, four thousand eight hundred dollars. 

1873. — Rev. John E. Wheeler, John M. Moore, Dr. James Emerson. 
Appropriation, five thousand dollars. 

1874. — Dr. James Emerson, John M. Moore. Appropriation, five thou- 
sand five hundred dollars. 

1875. — John M. Moore, Dr. James Emerson, Edward H. Sawin. Ap^ 
propriation, six thousand five hundred dollars. 

1876. — Dr. James Emerson, Edward H. Sawin, Dr. W. H. H. Hinds. 
Appropriation, six thousand five hundred dollars. 

1877.— Edward P. Noyes, Dr. W. H. H. Hinds, Thatcher B. Dunn. 
Appropriation, six thousand five hundred dollars. 

1878. — Thatcher B. Dunn, E. P. Noyes, John M. Moore. Appropri- 
ation, seven thousand dollars. 



HISTORY OF GARDINER. 465 

It will be seen, by consulting page 447, of this work, that 
the first school-houses were erected in this town, in 1794. Since 
that time, but more especially since the abolishment of the dis- 
trict and adoption of the graded system, this town has always 
furnished itself with ample and convenient school accommoda- 
tions. In 1858, School District No. 1, erected a large and con- 
venient house, with four departments, at a cost of ten thousand 
dollars. In the same year. District No. 3, built a school-house 
with four departments, costing five thousand dollars. In 1876, 
the Southeast school-house, was remodeled, at an expense of 
three thousand five hundred seventy-four dollars and eighty- 
nine cents. At the present date, a new school-house is be- 
ing erected in the West Village, containing two departments, 
at an estimated cost of five thousand dollars. At present, 
all the school-houses in the town, are in an excellent con- 
dition, and most of them well furnished with the means of 
successful instruction. 

In carefully reviewing the present chapter, the reader will be 
convinced that Gardner has never been backward, in responding 
to the demands which the education of her youth have made 
upon her, and is, at the present time, occupying advanced 
ground, in matters of general culture. The words of Bancroft 
will form a fitting conclusion to this chapter: "In the laws 
establishing common schools, lies the secret of the success and 
character of New England. Every child, as it is born into the 
world, was lifted from the earth, by the genius of the country,' 
and, in the statutes of the land, received, as its birthright, a 
pledge of the public care for its morals and its mind." 
59 



466 HISTORY OF GARDNEll. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

CHURCHES AND THEIR PASTORS. 

" On other shores, above their moulcl'ring towns, 

In sullen pomp, the tall cathedral frowns, 

Pride in its aisle, and paupers at the door. 

Which feeds the beggars whom it fleeced of yore. 

Simple and frail, our lowly Temples throw, 

Their slender shadows on the paths below ; 

Scarce steal the winds, that sweep his woodland tracks. 

The larch's perfume from the settlers axe. 

Ere like a vision of the morning air. 

His slight fi-amed steeple marks the house of prayer!" 

—0. W. Holmes. 

" Wide was his pai'ish — houses far asunder — 

But he neglected naught for rain or thunder, 

In sickness and in grief to visit all. 

The furthest in his parish, great and small, 

Always on foot and in his hand a stave. 

This noble example to his flock he gave : 

That first he wi'ought and afterward he taught ; 

Out of the gospel, he that lesson caught, 

And this new figure added he thereto. 

That if gold rust then what should iron do?" — Chaucer. 

IN attempting to unfold, as faithfully as circumstances will 
permit, that portion of this history, which has special ref- 
erence to ecclesiastical aflairs, we regard it as fitting and proper, 
to direct the attention of the reader, to some of the more prom- 
inent events, which preceded the establishment of the church 
and the ministry, in this town. 

This we do, for the purpose of forming, in the reader's mind, 
an intelligent basis for a clearer understanding of the conduct, 
of our fathers, in devoting themselves so assiduously to the task, 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 467 

which they immediately assumed, of providing religious instruc- 
tion for themselves and their families. Says D'Aubigne, "to 
study great things in small, is one of the most useful exercises. 
The foundations upon which a building stands are certainly not 
the most interesting part, but they are, perhaps, the most nec- 
essary." Should we undertake to trace the streams of civil and 
religious liberty, which flow, in such innumerable and irrigating 
channels, over the entire surface of our great republic, causing 
spiritual verdure and delightful fruitage, on every hand, we 
should find them having their origin, far back in the sixteenth 
century, or, indeed, previous to that time. 

Says D'Aubigne again, " Calvin was the founder of the 
greatest of republics. The Pilgrims, who left their country in 
the reign of James 1st, and, landing on the barren shores of 
New England, founded populous and mighty colonies, are his 
sons, his direct and legitimate sons ; and that American nation, 
which we have seen growing so rapidly, boasts as its father the 
humble reformer, on the shores of the Leman." The principle 
of religious liberty, now so deeply seated in our country, had 
its incarnation and fearless utterance, in the person of John 
Calvin. Englishmen, who took refuge in Geneva, from the 
bloody persecution of Marj', learned of this man, the love of 
spiritual liberty and the hate of spiritual tyranny. Returning 
to England, with their minds aflame with these lofty sentiments, 
they inspired a spirit of discontent, with nationalism, in the 
hearts of many, against that tyranny which, by Acts of Unifor- 
mity, High Commission and the Star Chamber, sought to coerce 
men to worship God, contrary to the dictates of their enlight- 
ened conscience, which, says Dr. Bacon, " in conscientious men, 
when it has been aroused to declare itself, is an obstinate thing." 

Permeated by this love of religious liberty and freedom of 
conscience, caught from the lips and life of this great Genevan 
reformer, whose virtues and mighty deeds, in behalf of freedom 
from ecclesiastical bondage, seem now to have been forgotten, 
by too many, who are boasting of a liberty, for the existence 
of which, he prepared the way, there were, in the latter part of 



468 HISTORY OF GABDJ^UB. 

the sixteenth century, such noble martyrs as Henry Barrowe, 
John Greenwood and John Peury, who were willing to testify 
to their love of religious liberty, by the sacrifice of their own 
lives. Hence arose, in England, that religious sect, called 
Puritans, whose aim was, at first, not separation from the Es- 
tablished Church, but a reformation of what they regarded as 
its abuses. Gradually, however, they became convinced that 
what they sought in connection with this church, they were not 
likely to obtain. 

Hence came that separation, which, subsequently, resulted in 
the formation, at Scrooby, in the house of William Brewster, of 
a church of Separatists, from which place, in 1607, " by a joint 
consent, they resolved to go into the Low Countries, not as 
individuals, but as a church, for which their native country had 
no place of rest." After a sojourn, of eleven years, at Amster- 
dam and Leyden, w^efind these Puritans seeking, for themselves 
and their children, some place beyond the sea, where they 
might enjoy that religious freedom, in behalf of which, they 
had suffered so much, and for the establishment of which, upon 
other shores, they were willing to impei'il their lives. Their lan- 
guage was, "all great and honorable actions are accompanied with 
difficulties, which must be met and conquered with corresponding 
courage. What though the dangers be great, they are not des- 
perate. What though the difficulties be many, they are not invin- 
cible. Some of the things, so greatly feared, may never befall 
us; others, by foresight, care, and good use of means, may, in 
a great measure, be prevented ; and all of them, by fortitude, 
patience, and God's help, can be borne and overcome. Such 
attempts, it is true, are not to be made without good ground 
and reason ; but have we not good ground and honorable rea- 
son? Have we not in the providence of God, a lawful and 
urgent call to the proposed undertaking? May we not, there- 
fore, look for God's blessing upon it? Yea, though we should 
lose our lives in this action, yet may we have comfort in the 
same, and our endeavors will be honorable." 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 469 

The meaning of this language is, that such was their love of 
religious liberty and the rights of conscience, they were willing 
to sacrifice their li\ es, for the supremacy of these, among men. 
Having received abundant instruction and counsel, from their 
excellent pastor, John Robinson, August lath, 1620, a hundred 
and twenty souls embarked, upon the Mayflower, at South 
Hampton, for their voyage across the Atlantic, "to begin the 
great work of plantation, in New England." They had bidden 
farewell to Leyden, " that goodly and pleasant city, which had 
been their resting place for nearly twelve years. But they knew 
that they were Pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, 
but lifted up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country, 
and quieted their spirits." After a voyage of sixty-three days, 
during which one of their number had died, they discovered 
land, and soon were safely moored in the harbor of Cape Cod, 
November 9th, 1620. 

The testimony, which the Dutch magistrates, of the city of 
their almost twelve years sojourn, concerning this people, was, 
" Never, never did we have any suit or accusation against them." 
There was no desire, on their part, that these exiles, from their 
native land, for conscience's sake, should withdraw from their 
midst ; but inspired with " a hope and inward zeal of advancing 
the gospel of the kingdom of Christ, in the remote parts of the 
New World ; yea, though they should be but stepping-stones 
unto others, for performing so great a work," the Pilgrims 
sought and found these western shores. Should any one inquire 
for the motive, moving these men, with their wives and children, 
to seek a habitation in " the wilderness," the answer will be 
found, upon the lips of the eminent men of those and subse- 
quent times. 

Said the venerable Higginsou, of Salem, in his election ser- 
mon, 1663, " It concerneth New England always, to remember 
that these are originally a plantation religious, not a plantation 
of trade. The profession of the purity of doctrine and dis- 
cipline is written upon her forehead. Let merchants and such 
as are increasing cent per cent., remember this: that worldly 



470 HISTOliY OF GARDJ^^ER. 

gain was not the end, nor the design of the people of New 
Enghind, but religion. And if any among us make religion 
as twelve and the world as thirteen, such an one has not the 
spirit of a true New England man." 

To the same effect, is the language of Dr. Increase Mather, 
when, in speaking of the Pilgrims, he sa3's, " They did not, in 
coming hither, propound any great matters to themselves, re- 
specting this world ; only that they should have liberty to serve 
God, and to walk with him, in all the ways of his worship." 
Says Rev. AVilliam Plubbard, of the fathers, " they came not 
hither for the world, or for land, or for traffic ; but for religion, 
and for liberty of conscience, in the worship of God, which 
was their only design." 

With this sole end, of religious liberty in view, the Pilgrims, 
landed upon Plymouth Rock, bringing with them these social, 
civil and religious, institutions, out of which, has come so much 
of good, to this nation. Thev had lived lonsf enouo;h, in Ens:- 
land, as lovers of liberty of conscience, to make their influence 
felt to such an extent, as to compel the sceptical Hume to ad- 
mit, that the English nation is indebted to the Puritans, for all 
the liberty of its constitution. 

In the judgment of Bancroft, our philosophical historian, 
the Calvinian theory, which these founders of our republic 
brought to these shores, instead of being narrow, illiberal, or 
irrational, " combines and perfects the symbolic wisdom of the 
Orient, and the reflective genius of Greece ; conforming to rea- 
son, yet enkindling enthusiasm, guaranteeing absolute freedom, 
yet invoking the inexorable restraints of duty ; awakening the 
inner man, to a consciousness of his destiny, and yet adapted 
with exact harmony, to the outer Avorld." 

Referring to the compact, which the Pilgrims signed, in the 
cabin of the Mayflower, this same historian says, " This was 
the birth of popular constitutional liberty. In the cabin of the 
Mayflower, humanity recorded its rights, and instituted govern- 
ment on the basis of ' equal laws,' for the general good. As the 
Pilgrims landed, their institutions were already perfected. Dem- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 471 

ocratic liberty and independent Christian worship, at once ex- 
isted in America. Enduring every hardship themselves, they 
were the servants of posterity, the benefactors of succeeding 
generations, who scattered the seminal principles of republican 
freedom and national independence." 

With these ends in view, we can easil}^ see how the original 
government, of the colonies, should be of the nature of a theocra- 
cy, in which, the great head of all power and authority was Christ, 
to whom, above all earthly sovereigns, they paid most devout 
homage and reverent obedience. Hence, there existed, at tirst, 
and for a long time, a union of state and ecclesiastical affairs, 
in the same body, called the Court of Assistants. To this Court, 
all matters of the church and state, were referred. 

So close was the union of church and state, that, in 1631, 
" to the end, the Ijody of the commons may be preserved of 
honest and good men, it was likewise ordered and agreed, that 
for time to come, no man shall be admitted to the freedom of 
this body politic, but such as are members of some of the 
churches, within the limits of the same." In 163G, it was 
ordered, "that no person, being a member of any church, 
which shall hereafter be gathered, without the approbation of 
the magistrates and the greater part of the said churches, shall 
be admitted to the freedom of this commonwealth." It was 
also ordered, " that none but freemen, shall have any vote, in 
any town, in any action of authority, or necessity, or that 
which belongs to them by virtue of their freedom, as receiving 
inhabitants and laying out of lots, etc." These freemen were 
obliged to take an oath, of great scope and sanctity, that they 
would defend the interests of the colony, to the extent of their 
ability, and as would best conduce and tend to the public weal 
of the body, without respect of persons, or favor of any man." 

In these acts of legislation, by the Great and General Court, 
we discover, not only the close alliance of religious and secular 
interests, but also the motive which led to this union, which 
was, that the religious liberties, here planted by the Pilgrim 
Fathers, might be carefully guarded and preserved, by the 



472 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

highest authority then existing. Looking at the basis on 
which the Pl3'mouth and Massachusetts colonies were founded, 
we cannot reo-ard this result as unnatural. These men came to 
these shores as Congregational ists, or as members of a church 
whose government was in the hands of its male membership. 
Naturally, would the}^ seek to foster this religious order and 
mode of worship, even though it should require, what to us 
now seems so unwise, the strong arm of the Great and General 
Court, for its support. 

Had not the church and state been thus identical, for several 
years, succeeding the landing of the Pilgrims, we can hardly 
see how the principles of civil and religious liberty, could have 
become so strongly rooted in this American soil, as to warrant 
their continuance, to the present time. This policy made the 
Congregational, the established church, to which, all members 
of the colonies must give their support, or sutfer the penalty 
imposed, by the secular power. Every man was obliged, for a 
time, to worship God, in accordance with the rules of the estab- 
lished church. For its support, he must be taxed. The rigor 
of this law, after a time, began to abate and men were allowed 
to worship, in accordance with their own preferences. They 
were exempt from punishment, for not worshiping with the 
established church, but not from taxation, for its support. 
Thus, the dissenter was obliged to bear a double burden, if he 
should worship, in accordance with his preference. 

By successive acts of legislation, this law was so modified, 
as to allow any one to connect himself with the religious assem- 
bly, of his own choice, providing he should bring a certificate 
from the proper authorities of that religious body, to the oiSi- 
cers of the Congregational parish, established within the limits 
of his town, that he was a regular attendant upon divine service, 
in connection with that body, and contributed to the support of 

the same. 

Subsequently, the law was so changed, as to annul all con- 
nection between town and parish, and all persons were allowed 
to identify themselves with any religious body they should pre- 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 473 

fer, or with none at all. So that, at the present time, there is 
no compulsory, but only a voluntary support, of religious in- 
stitutions. This liberty was granted in 1833. 

The inhabitants of this and every town were compelled, by 
law, to support preaching, while the town and parish were 
identical. This explains the votes of the town, acting in its 
capacity of town and parish, interchangably, which will be in- 
troduced hereafter, from the Town Records, wherein w^e find 
the secular and the sacred, strangely mixed on the same page. 
As for instance, on page 199, vol. 1, we have such votes as 
these : " Voted, The Rev. Jonathan Osgood eighty pounds, for 
one-half of his settlement and seventy-five pounds, for his two 
years salary." " Voted, That the lowest bidder take the meet- 
ing-house, to sweep it four times a 3'ear, well, and open the 
doors, at all public meetings, and see that the doors and win- 
dows are kept shut, after the meeting is over, and bring water 
for christening." " Voted, To let swine run at large, under 
the regulations of the law." In these records the minister, 
meeting-house, schools, christenings and swine, have, to us of 
the present day, an almost ludicrous intermingling ; but to the 
men of those days, these were matters of grave importance. 

But, not only did the Great and General Court provide for 
the enforced maintenance of gospel preaching, they also pro- 
vided for the gospel ministry. Says Johnson, in his Wonder- 
working Providence, A. D. 1654, " it being as unnatural for a 
right New England man to live without an able ministry, as for 
a smith to work his iron without a fire," therefore, the peoiDle 
delayed "seating themselves" in a town's estate, until they 
" came to hopes of a competent number of people, as might be 
able to maintain a minister." The Court required " all towns 
to be supplied with a minister, a meeting-house and a parson- 
age," and all inhabitants to be taxed, for their support. In case 
of any defect, in any congregation, or town, to provide " for the 
settlement and encouraging maintenance of ministers," the 
County Court ordered what the maintenance should be, and 
issued warrants to the selectmen, to assess the inhabitants. 

60 



474 HISTORY OF GABBNEB. 

The General Court, as early as 1654, held it to be their 
*' great duty, to provide that all places and people, within their 
gates, should be supplied with an able and foithful minister of 
God's holy word." Presidents of County Courts and Grand 
Juries, were to present all abuses. As late as the year 1800, 
we have the exact penalties which towns should pay, for neg- 
lecting to supply the people with good preaching. If the 
neglect continued, three months out of six, the penalty was 
from thirty to sixty dollars; if repeated, the penalty was from 
sixty to one hundred dollars. This law, of the Great and Gen- 
eral Court, explains the fact, that the first public act. in all 
these towns, after getting their municipal machinery in motion, 
was to select a spot, in the geographical centre of the town, 
and proceed, at once, to the erection of a meeting-house, and 
to provide themselves, immediately with " a learned gospel 
minister." This was not a matter of option with the founders 
of a new town. It was the mandate of the highest civil au- 
thority, which could not be set aside. 

This explains, to us, the action of the first settlers of this 
town, who were so prompt and earnest, and self-denying, in 
erecting their first church edifice and supplying themselves so 
early, with a gospel preacher. Nor should our readers forget 
the character, of the ministry of the early days of our colonies, 
and of these New England States. History supports us in saying, 
that these early ministers were men of no common powers, nor 
learning. Says Stoughton, in his Election Sermon, 1668 : "God 
sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain, into this 
wilderness. They were men of great renown, in the nation 
from which the Laudian persecution exiled them ; their learn- 
ing, their holiness, their gravity, struck all men who knew them, 
with admiration. They were Timothies in their houses, Chrys- 
ostoms, in their pulpits, Augustines, in their disputations." 

They were the men, who founded the College at Cambridge, 
and wrote upon its forehead, Christo et Ecdesice. So great was 
the learning, wisdom, probity and piety, of many of the cler- 
gymen, of our early history, that their counsel was often sought 



HISTORY OF GARDNER, 475 

b}' statesmen, and the advice given from their pnlpits, espec- 
ially, in their election sermons, was incorporated into legisla- 
tive enactments. Of Dr. Jonathan Mayhew, it was said, by 
Robert Treat Paine, that he was " The father of Civil and Re- 
ligious Liberty, in Massachusetts and America." President 
Adams called him "a Whig of the first magnitude, a clergy- 
man equaled by very few of any denomination, in piety, virtue, 
genius or learning ; whose works will maintain his character as 
long as New England shall be free, integrity esteemed, or wit, 
spirit, humor, reason and knowledge admired." It was this 
distinguished man who in 1766, suggested to James Otis, the 
idea of a " Committee of Correspondence," which had such a 
powerful efiect in pi'oducing concert of action, between the 
colonies. " You have heard," said he, " of the communion of 
churches. While I was thinking of this in my bed, the great use 
and importance of a communion of colonies, appeared to me 
in a strong light."* 

This was the kind of clergymen, who came, originally, to aid, 
in founding the colonies, to prepare and shape the events, which 
preceded the Revolution, and to fire the hearts of their coun- 
trymen, with that courage, zeal, fortitude and patience, which 
caused them, guided by Providence, to win the liberties which 
are ours to-day. When we consider who these men, and their 
associates in all public affairs, both civil and religious, were, and 
what they did really accomplish, in working out the problem of 
civil and religious liberty, for themselves and their posterity, 
we can afford to look, with charity, upon some things in their 
conduct, that to us of more liberal ideas, seem severe and even 
unchristian, if not positively inhumane. 

With these preliminary statements, regarding ecclesiastical 
matters, in the days preceding the incorporation of this town, 
we may now direct attention to the action of the early settlers 
of the town, in regard to matters of religious importance. 

*Thoniton's Pulpit of the Kevolution, p. 44-45. 



476 HI8T0RY OF GABDNEll. 

FIRST PARISH AND CHURCH TILL 1867. 

It will be remembered, that the town was incorporated June 
27th, 1785, and that the first town meeting was held Angnst 
15th, of the same year. The second town meeting was held 
the 6tb of the following month, the object of which, was to see 
about a county road, going through the Centre of the town. 
But, upon November 7th, 1785, a little more than four months 
from the date of incorporation, the town was assembled to act 
upon the following articles, with some others of a difierent 
nature : "To know their minds concerning giving security for 
the meetinjj-house o;rounds, and take a deed of the same." " To 
know their minds concerning building a meeting-house and to 
act anything relating thereunto, as they shall think proper when 
met." " To know their minds concerning hiring of preaching." 

At this town meeting, the citizens of Gardner, passed the 
following votes, relating to the erection of a meeting-house, 
and furnishing themselves with preaching: " Chose Joseph 
Bacon, John White, Capt. Kelton, Moses Hill and David Fos- 
ter, a committee to draw a plan of the meeting-house and to 
see what stuff it will take." " Chose Simon Gates, Elisha Jack- 
son and Capt. Kelton, a committee to hire preaching." " Voted, 
To hire four days preaching." It will be observed, that the 
town did not call a meeting, to see if they would build a church 
and provide a preacher, as is done now ; that matter w'as already 
settled for them, by the General Court. They were obliged to 
do this, by the law of that court, and their duty was, to pro- 
ceed at once. At an adjournment of this meeting, Nov. 14th, 
the town " Voted, To take a deed of the land already surveyed, 
for a site for a meeting-house common and burying yard." 
The town then heard the report of the meeting-house committee 
and " Voted, To Iniild a meeting-house, forty feet wide and 
sixty-five feet long, with three porches. Then chose Joseph 
Bacon, John White, Andrew Beard, William Bickford, Capt. 
Kelton, a committee to lot out the timber and stuif, in small 
lots." 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 477 

This meeting was then adjourned, to January 2d, 1786, at 
which, the town, acting as a parish, " Voted, To reconsider 
that part of the third article respecting the bigness of the meet- 
ing-house, and voted to build the house forty-five by sixty, and 
two porches. Voted, To vendue the timber and stuif, for build- 
ing, in small lots. Chose Joseph Bacon vendue master. Chose 
Capt Kelton, Samuel Stone, Peter Goodale, a committee to draw 
conditions of sale. Then adjourned one-half hour ; then met 
and accepted the conditions of sale. Voted, That the hewing 
timber be cut by the last of June next." Then chose " a com- 
mittee to accept of the timber and stufi"." 

The following are the conditions of sale, of " the timber and 
stuff," which, together Avith the schedule of the articles used, 
in the construction of the first meeting-house, as presented by 
the committee chosen "to draw a plan of the meeting-house 
and to see what stutf it will take," with the price, at which 
each piece was bidden ofi", and the name of each person, agree- 
ing to furnish the same, we here introduce, in full, partly as a 
matter of curiosity, and partly to show the intelligence and 
skill of Mr. Joseph Bacon, a master workman of those days. 

"Be it known, to all whom these come before, that those 
whom any part or parts of the materials for building the meet- 
ing-house be vendued to, or any other way, do undertake to 
provide and delive-r, on the spot, that the town shall appoint, 
do engage to fulfill and deliver on said spot, and further, do 
engage that the materials be good, and to the town's acceptance, 
or to the acceptance of a committee that may be appointed for 
the accepting of the same. And do further engage, that in 
failure of any of the above mentioned articles, and that for 
each article not delivered on said spot, do engage to pay the 
town nine pounds, to be paid on demand ; and do further en- 
gage, that all the hewing timber be cut by the last of June, 
1786, and that all the materials be delivered by the first day of 
April, 1787." 



478 HISTORY OF GARDJSFEB. 



SCHEDULE. 

£ s. d. 
Reuben Haynes, 1 pitch pine sill, 60 ft. long, 12 by 12, at. ... 0150 

Jucle Sawyer, 1 pitch pine sill, 60 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 14 6 

AVilliam Bickford, 2 pitch pine sills, 45 ft. long, 12 by 12, at. . 1 10 

Joseph Clark, 2 white pine sills, 45 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 1 4 

Ezra Moore, 2 white pine sills, 45 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 1 2 

Moses Hill, 2 oak posts, 27 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 15 

Ephraim Pratt, 2 oak posts, 27 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 18 

Moses Hill, 2 oak posts, 27 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 15 

Joseph Holland, 2 oak posts, 27 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 16 

Ephraim Pratt, 2 oak posts, 27 ft, long, 12 by 12, at 16 

Moses Hill, 2 oak posts, 27 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 15 

Gideon Fisher, 2 oak posts, 27 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 15 

Ephraim Pratt, 2 oak posts, 27 ft. long, 12 by 12, at 15 

Samuel Stone, 2 white pine plates, 63 ft. long, 9 by 10, at. ... 1 6 

Benj. Kendall, 5 white pine plates, 13 ft. long, 10 by 10, at. . . 10 

Benj. Kendall, 5 white pine plates, 13 ft. long, 10 by 10, at. . . 10 

Samuel Stone, 4 white pine beams, 48 ft. long, 12 by 14, at . . 3 9 
Joseph Wright, 2 beams, the six beams to spring 18 inches in 

the midst of each one, at 1 14 

Reuben Haynes, 2 white pine gallery sills, 45 ft. long, 12 by 14, 1 5 

Jesse Hill, 1 white pine gallery sill, 40 ft. long, 12 by 14, at 11 

Reuben Haynes, 4 oak girts, 17 ft. long, 10 by 12, at 15 

Seth Heywood, 7 oak girts, 13 ft. long, 8 by 10, at 10 

Gideon Fisher, 8 oak girts, 13 ft. long, 10 by 12, at 16 

Seth Heywood, 2 oak girts, 22 ft. long, 10 by 12, at 7 

Joshua Whitney, 6 pitch pine sills, 14 ft. long, 8 by 12, at. ... 15 

Jabez Partridge, 6 white pine plates, 19 ft. long, 8 by 8, at. . . 10 

Seth Heywood, 4 oak posts, 15 ft. long, 8 by 8, at 6 

Seth Heywood, 4 oak king posts, 16 ft. long, 12 by 12, at. ... 130 

Reuben Haynes, four oak girts, 14 ft. long, 8 by 9, at 8 

Peter Goodale, 3 oak girts, 12 ft. long, 8 by 9, at 4 

Peter Goodale, 6 oak girts, 13 feet long, 8 by 9, at 7 

Moses Hill, 4 oak rafters, 29 ft. long, 9 by 10, at 8 

Ephraim Pratt, 4 oak rafters, 29 ft. long, 9 by 10, at 9 

Moses Hill, 4 oak rafters, 29 ft. long, 9 by 10, at 8 

Ephraim Pratt, 4 hackmatack span braces, 25 ft. long, 9 by 10, 

to spring one foot, at 6 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 479 

£ s. d. 
Moses Hill, 4 hackmatack span braces, 25 ft. long, 9 by 10, to 

spring 1 foot, at 6 

Elisha Jackson, a oak braces, 25 ft. long, 8 by 8, at . . , 16 

Seth Heywood, 5 oak braces, 25 ft. long, 8 by 8, at 15 

Moses Hill, 5 oak ridge poles, 14 ft. long, 7 by 7, at 7 

Jabez Partridge, 24 pieces of oak or beech slitwork, 11 ft. long, 

4 by 5, at 5 

Ephraim Pratt, 24 pieces of oak or beech slitwork, 13 ft. long, 

4 by 5, at 8 

Reuben Haynes, 24 pieces of oak or beech slitwork, 13 ft. long, 

4 by 5, at * 8 

Jabez Partridge, 24 pieces, 11 ft. long, 4 by 5, at 7 

Benj. Kendall, 24 pieces, 11 ft long. 4 by 5, at 7 

William Bickford, 24 pieces, 11 ft. long, 3 by 4, at 4 6 

William Bickford, 24 pieces, 13 ft. long, 3 by 4, at 4 6 

Seth Heywood, 24 pieces, 13 ft. long, 3 by 4, at 6 

Israel Keyes, 24 pieces, 11 ft. long, 3 by 4, at 7 

Benj. Kendall, 24 pieces of slitwork, 16 ft. long, 5 by 6, at. . . 14 

Ephraim Pratt, 24 pieces of slitwork, 16 ft. long, 5 by 6, at. . . 14 

Elisha Jackson, 23 pieces of slitwork, 16 ft. long, 5 by 6, at. . 13 

Benj. Kendall, 24 pieces of oak slitwork, 14 ft. long, 4 by 5, at 14 

Benj. Kendall, 48 pieces of oak slitwork, 14 ft. long, 4 by 5, at 15 

William Bickford, 24 oak, 13 ft. long. 4 by 5, at 12 

Benj. Kendall, 24 oak, 13 ft. long, 4 by 5, at 11 

Elijah Wilder, 24 oak, 10 ft. long, 4 by 5, at 11 

Elijah Wilder, 24 oak, 10 ft. long, 3 by 4, at 6 

Joseph Wright, 24 oak, 8 ft. long, 3 by 4, at 6 

Joseph Wright, 20 pieces oak, 16 ft. long, 4 by 5, at 9 

Elijah Wilder, 20 oak or beech rafters, 10 ft. long, 4 by 5, at. 6 

Elijah Wilder, 26 pieces oak or beech, 14 ft. long, 5 by 6, at. . 14 

Elijah Wilder, 26 pieces oak or beech, 14 ft. long, 5 by 6, at. . 14 

Elijah Wilder, 26 pieces oak or beech, 14 ft. long, 5 by 6, at. . 14 

Samuel Stone, 35 oak, beech or birch braces, 8 ft. long, 5 by 6, 10 

Ephraim Pratt, 35 oak, beech or birch braces, 8 ft. long, 5 by 6, 9 

Benj. Kendall, 35 oak, beech or birch braces, 8 ft. long, 5 by 6, 9 

Elijah Wilder, 16 oak or beech braces, 10 It. long, 5 by 6, at. . 7 

Elijah Wilder, 35 oak braces, 7 ft. long, 3 by 5, at 8 

Elijah Wilder, 35 oak braces, 7 ft. long, 3 by 5, at 8 

Elijah^ Wilder, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 



480 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

£ s. d. 

David Nichols, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Joseph Clark, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Jesse Hill, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Elijah Wilder, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

David jSichols, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Elijah Wilder, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Joseph Clark, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Jabez Partridge, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Caleb Jackson, 2 thousand of inclosing boards, inch, at 2 

Josiah Wilder, 1000 clapboards, ^ inch thick, 5i inches wide, 

4 ft. .^ ft. long,-at '. 3 3 

Gideon Fisher, 1000 clapboards, 5 inch thick, .')i inches wide, 

4 ft. j ft. long, at 3 9 

Josiah AVilder, 1000 clapboards, ^ inch thick, ok inches wide, 

4 ft. ?j ft. long, at 3 9 

Samuel Foster, 1000 clapboards, ^ inch thick, 5 J- inches wide, 

1 ft. J- ft. long, at 3 10 

Josiah Wilder, 500 clapboards, i inch thick, 5^ inches wide, 

4 ft. J- ft. long, at 1 15 

Ephraim Pratt, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at 1 10 

Jonathan Eaton, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at 1 10 

Benjamin Clark, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at I 10 

David Foster, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at 1 10 

Joseph Clark, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at 1 10 

pjlijah Simonds, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at 1 10 

Ezra Moore, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at I 10 

Jonathan Greenwood, 4 thousand good white pine shingles, at. . 1 10 

Elisha Jackson, 500 white pine 2-inch plank, 14 ft. long, at. . . 1 8 

Elisha Jackson, 500 white pine 2-inch plank, 14 ft. long, at. . . 1 9 

Jonathan Bancroft, 500 white pine 2-inch plank, 14 ft. long, at 1 9 

Elijah Wilder, 500 white pine 2-inch plank, 14 ft. long, at. ... 1 9 

Joseph Clark, 500 of sash stuff, 1^: inches thick, at 1 5 

Ebenezer Elaton, 500 of sash stuff, 1^ inches thick, at 1 7 

Jonathan Bancroft, 500 of sash stuff, 1| inches thick, at 1 GO 

Andrew Beard, 500 of sash stuff, 1^ inches thick, at I 7 

Elijah Simonds, 500 of sash stuff, 1^ inches thick, at 1 7 

Joshua Whitney, 500 of sash stuff, 1^ inches thick, at 1 7 

Peter Goodale, 1000 of boards, '^ of an inch thick, clear stuff, at 1 IG 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 481 

£. s. d. 

Elijah Simonds, 500 of boards, f of an inch thick, clear stuff, at 18 

Ezra Moore, 500 of boards, | of an inch thick, clear stuff, at 17 

Ebenezer Eaton, 25 pieces of pine slitwork, 4 by 5, at 14 

Elijah Simonds, 25 pieces of pine slitwork, 4 by 5, at 13 6 

Elisha Jackson, 25 pieces of pine slitwork, 4 by 5, at 13 

Elisha Jackson, 25 pieces of pine slitwork, 4 by 5, at 12 6 

Elisha Jackson, 500 of pine slitwork, 5 by 5, at 1 

Elijah Wilder, 11 pieces of cant stuff, 11 feet long, at 10 

March 7th, 1786, the town " Voted, To choose a committee of 
three, to see how much it will cost to frame and finish the out- 
side of the meeting-house." At an adjourned meeting, March 
14th, " Voted, To raise £400, for the framing and finish- 
ing the outside of the meeting-house, and laying the floor, and 
to pay for the timber and other articles, for the meeting-house." 
September 25th, 1786, " Voted, To choose a committee to pitch 
on a spot, to set the meeting-house on." " Voted, To choose 
a committee, to lot out the underpinning of the meeting-house, 
in small lots, and draw conditions of sale." In 178(5 the town 
" Voted, To accept the spot which the committee staked out, 
for the meeting-house to stand on." " Voted, To see if the 
town is willino; that all the free-holders should vote concerninor 
the buildino- of the meetin2:-house. Passed in the afiirmative." 

The following is the report of the committee, concerning un- 
derpinning the meeting-house. " Voted, To accejjt the report 
of the committee and conditions of sale, which is as follows : — 

"Be it known, to all whom these come before; That we, 
who shall, or may undertake to dig, or underpin the hole, or 
any part or parts, to set the meeting-house upon, do engage to 
dig it, two feet and a half wide, and two feet and a half deep, 
and fill the trench up, with small stones, and to provide good 
square stones, and to lay the same square, in line, eighteen 
inches from the ground, the highest corner of the ground, and 
so to have it a true level on the top of the underpinning ; and 
to do the same, to the acceptance of the town, or a committee 
that the town shall appoint for the same. The lots are as fol- 

61 



482 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

lows, the digging and filling up, fit to lay the underpinning : — 
"First lot, beginning at the southeast corner, and from thence 
to the southwest, sixty feet; Ezra Moore, 17s. Second lot, 
beginning at the southwest corner, and thence round the porch, 
to the northwest corner, seventy-three feet; Seth Heywood, 
19s. ^d. Third lot, beginning at- the northwest corner, so to 
the northeast corner, sixty feet; David Foster, 16s. Fourth 
lot, beginning at the northeast corner, so round the porch, to 
the southeast corner, seventy-three feet ; Jonathan Bancroft, 
15s. — to provide stones and the lime. Fifth lot, beginning at 
the middle of the front door, and from thence to the west porch, 
forty-six and a half feet; Samuel Kelton, £4 10s. Sixth lot, 
round the west porch, forty-two feet; William Bickford, £3 
10s. Seventh lot, beginning at the west porch, and so to the 
middle of the north side, forty-six and a half feet ; Jonathan 
Bancroft, £4. Eighth lot, beginning at the middle of the north 
side, so to the east porch, forty-six and a half feet; Ebenezer 
Keyes, £4 12s. Ninth lot, round the east porch, forty-two feet ; 
Benjamin Clark, £4 12s. Tenth lot, beginning at the east 
porch, and so to the middle of the front door, forty-six and a 
half feet; Ebenezer Howe, £4 18s." 

" Voted, To complete the underpinning, of the meeting- 
house, by the 20th of June, 1787." " Voted, To vendue the 
underpinning." " Voted, To choose a committee of five to get 
the window frames' and sashes made, and provide articles nec- 
essary for building the outside of the meeting-house, which are 
not already provided." " Voted, To build the meeting-house 
in June, 1787." "Voted, To choose a committee of three to 
view the trench, before it is filled up, and see if it will answer 
the end ; and to view it after it is filled up, and see if it is fit 
for to lay the square stone on, and to accept of the underpin- 
ning, if done workmanlike ; and to strike out the porches, 
twelve feet by fourteen feet long." 

At a meeting held December 25th, 1786, " Voted, To let out 
the framing and finishing of the outside of the meeting-house." 
" Voted, That a receipt from the committee that is to accept of 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 483 

the timber and stuff, for building the meeting house, shall be a 
sufficient order on the town treasurer." " Voted, Not to drop 
the porches to the meeting-house." " Voted, To choose a com- 
mittee to see how they can get the meeting-house framed and 
the outside finished, and lay it before the town, at the adjourn- 
ment of this meeting." At an adjourned meeting, January 15th, 
1787, " Voted, To give Joseph Bacon, for framing and finish- 
ing the outside of the meeting-house, setting the glass, and 
painting the house and laying the lower floor, and making the in- 
side doors, the town finding all the materials, £172 10s. he assist- 
ing with his hands, in raising." " Voted, To choose a committee 
of three for to take bonds, of Joseph Bacon, for the fulfilment 
of the bargain, and give bonds for the town's fulfilment on their 
part." 

June 6th, 1787, the town being legally assembled, "Voted, 
To choose a committee to provide a number of hands for to 
raise the meeting-house, and entertain them, with provisions 
and drink, and all other articles necessary for the raising of 
said house." " Voted, That this committee consist of nine men." 
" Voted, That Joseph Bacon appoint some man, to see that the 
common be kept clear of spectators, on said day, that the meet- 
ing-house is to be raised, as to being in the way of raising said 
house." "Voted, That the collector take butter, of the per- 
sons that are in his rates, provided, that they bring the butter 
by the first of July, next, at Id. per pound ; and the collector 
to provide firkins to put said butter in, and to deliver the butter 
to the committee that are to provide the nails for the meeting- 
house, when called for. It is expected, that the collector put 
the butter into firkins, well salted, and the butter to be good 
butter." June 26th, 1787, the town met agreeable to adjourn- 
ment. "Voted, For the committee to give the spectators one 
drink." This was the only vote passed at this meeting. 

Although there is no record of the date of the raising of the 
meeting-house, there is a strong probability, that the raising oc- 
curred June 27th, 1787, just two years from the date of incor- 
poration. Tradition informs us, that the committee chosen to 



484 HI8T0RY OF GARDNER. 

supervise the raising of the meeting-house, made application to 
Captain Samuel Savvin, of Westminster, Esquire Smith, of Ash- 
burnham, Deacon Moses Hale, of Wiuchenclon, and Mr. Joseph 
Wright, of Templeton, to be present, with a number of good 
hands, to assist in the raising of the house. In accorclance with 
this invitation, these parties all appeared, on the common, early 
in the morning of June 27th, 1787, each with a company of 
chosen men, for the eminent services of the day. It is said, 
that the raising commenced early, and went on rapidly, till near 
noon, when an accident occurred. While several men were 
standing on the ground, within the frame, drinking water, a 
joist fell from the upper loft, striking two of them on their 
heads and w^oundiug them severely. One of these was a Mr. 
Day, of Wiuchenclon, the other was a Mr. Gregory, of Tem- 
pleton. The raising was completed before sunset. It was 
thought that the frame was put together so strong, that if turned 
down upon one side, and rolled across the common, it would 
not wreck the body of it. 

Although the meeting-house was finished, upon the outside, 
immediately, it is evident, from the records, that the interior 
was not completed for some years subsequently. This was a 
matter of progressive development, the town acting, in this par- 
ticular, according to its ability. June 9th, 1788, the town 
" Voted, To sell the pew^s at vendue, also to choose a committee 
to draw a plan of the pews and the finishing the inside of the 
meeting-house, and to draw the conditions of sale. June 23d, 
" Voted, To accept the plan of pews and seats." "Voted, 
To reserve Pew No. 1, by the pulpit stairs, as the town's prop- 
erty." 

The following is a report of the committee to sell the pews 
at vendue : — 

" The committee, chosen by the town of Gardner, to draw 
the conditions of sale, of the pews and for finishing the inside 
of the meeting-house report as follows : That is, for the inside 
of the meeting-house to be finished according to the Ionic 
order of work, and the bigness of the pews and seats, to be 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 485 

according to the plan that the town has accepted. The condi- 
tions of sale to be such that the highest pew be set up at £8 
18.S'. and so down, by diminutions, 2s. upon each pew, till the 
whole be disposed of; and the highest bidder to have his first 
choice, in the pews, and a bid is to be not less than Is. ; and that 
2s. and 6tZ. on the pound, be paid by the first of September, 
next, and that the money be laid out for the glazing of the 
meeting-house, and one-half of the remaining part, to be paid 
in fourteen months from the first payment, and the remaining 
part, to be paid within one year from the second payment. 
And that the town choose a committee to receive the money, or 
the security, that the purchaser of the pew or pews, shall give, 
to the acceptance of the above said committee ; and if the first 
payment be not made, by the time prefixed, then he forfeits the 
security that he gives, and the pew, or pews remain the prop- 
erty of the town ; and if the purchaser of the pew or pews, 
shall not make the remaining payments, according to the con- 
ditions above prefixed, then he forfeits what he has paid, and 
the pew or pews, remain the property of the town. And if the 
pews be not finished by the time prefixed, for the last payment, 
the purchaser, of the pew or pews, shall receive interest from 
the payments, till the pews be finished. And that the money 
be disposed of, for finishing the meeting-house, and no other 
way, till the meeting-house be finished." 

" Voted, That the above said committee lay out so much of 
the money, of the first payment, as to get the materials to glaze 
the meeting-house." 

June 24th, 1788, the town " Voted, To vendue the pews, 
according to the conditions previously adopted." "Voted, 
That any person that bids ofl' any pew, shall give security, for 
the first payment, to the acceptance of the committee, immedi- 
ately, and he, on the refusing to give such security, it shall be- 
come no bid, and such person shall not be a bidder on the pews 
afterwards." According to a transcript of the sale of pews, 
found on page 85, vol. 1, of the Town Records, there were, 
in the first meeting-house, forty-seven pews on the ground 



486 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

floor, and tweuty-four in the gallery, making a total of seventy- 
one, all of which, were sold for £473 bs. The reader may 
imagine what the shape of this church was, by reflecting that 
the main part was sixty feet in length, b}^ forty-five in width, 
having two porches, each twelve by fourteen feet, attached, one 
on the east side and the other on the west, with the whole 
facing the south, where the main entrance was located. 

Such was the external appearance of the new meeting-house. 
It must, however, be remembered, that the inside was in a 
wholly unfinished condition, the sale of the pews already re- 
ferred to, having been made upon a plan, of what the meeting- 
house was yet to be, instead of what it really was ; for, on the 
following November, it was " Voted, To see if the town will 
finish the inside of the meeting-house, next year, so far as to 
case the timber and windows, and build the stairs and the ceil- 
ing, fit for plastering ; anci the lathing and plastering, by the 
first of November, 1789 ; and to la}' the gallery floor, and the 
frame for the breast-work of the gallery, by the same time." 
On the 8th day of the following month, the town voted, to 
vendue " the stuff required for finishing the inside of the house 
upon the following conditions, viz. : — 

" The conditions of this vendue are such, that the lowest 
bidder upon each of the following lots or articles, to which his 
name is subscribed, doth promise and engage to get and deliver 
the same at the meeting-house in Gardner, to the acceptance of 
the town, or the committee at the time prefixed, in each lot or 
article, and in failure hereof a penalty of 245. for each lot or 
article, to be paid by the respective subscribers. And each lot 
or article to be accepted by the town or their committee. The 
respective subscriber shall not be entitled to receive the re- 
spective sum annexed to his name, until the first day of Feb- 
ruary, 1791, except he be a purchaser of a pew or pews; in 
such case, it shall answer for the payments for his respective 
pew or pews. All the boards to be white pine." Here follows 
a long list, of the difierent articles, to be used in finishing the 
interior of the house, with the names of the individuals who 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 487 

agreed to furnish them, and the prices they were to receive, 
too vokiminous to be inserted in this work. 
. December 18th, 1788, the town "Voted, To choose a com- 
mittee of three persons, to see how they can get the work done, 
for finishing the inside of the meeting-house, and make report 
to the town." This committee reported, January 5th, 1789, 
that five individuals had offered to do the work, the highest 
price being £220, the lowest,' Lieut. David Foster's, £199 
10s. The town voted, to give the Avork to the lowest bidder, 
and " that the committee that was chosen, to see how they could 
get the inside of the meeting-house done, to be a committee to 
take and give bonds, in behalf of the town, for finishing the 
inside of the meeting-house. Voted, To accept Lieut. Foster's 
offer, which is as follows : — 

" I will finish the inside of the meeting-house, as Westmins- 
ter meeting-house is finished, the town finding all the materials, 
by the time or times, they let out, by the vendue, to be pro- 
vided : and if there is anything more wanting, to be provided, 
in fourteen days, after I notify the committee of it for the sura 
of £199 10.S. I having liberty to take my pay, of men that have 
bought pew or pews, if they and I can agree, if not, the town 
to pay me £100, by the 15th day of November, 1789, and the 
other £99 lO*-. when the work is done, and all the work to be 
done by the 1st day of November, 1790." 

May 9th, 1791, the town " Voted, To choose a committee to 
view the meeting-house and make report to the town." This 
committee reported as follows, concerning the work: "All 
accepted, except the painting not being uniform, and the pews 
not being marked, with their respective numbers, on each door, 
and some few standards being loose, one seat, in the southeast- 
erly corner of the body pews, being shaky, and part of the 
casing of some of the pews, not being bradded ; and also four 
squares of glass broken." The town, however, voted to accept 
the work, Mr. White " promising to finish it agreeable to the 
report of the committee." 



488 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

Previously, the town had "Voted, That the color, for the 
meetiug-house, the groundwork, be a stone color, the window 
frames and sashes, and weather-boards and girt, be white, the 
doors green." The meeting-house having been finished, accord- 
ing to contract, in 1791, four years after the erection of its 
frame, at an expense of about $2,800, some of the persons who 
had bidden off pews, fiiiling to comply with the conditions upon 
which these pews w^ere sold, a new sale was necessitated, which 
occurred September 5th, of the same year. Thus, the meeting- 
house, after these years of patient toil, on the part of the early 
inhabitants of Gardner, was completed and made fully ready 
for their occupancy, both for divine worship and the transaction 
of town business, which, in those days, always occurred, in this 
edifice. In this particular, our fathers have left an example of 
patient continuance, worthy of imitation, by their descendants. 

This custom of holding town meetings, in the meeting-house, 
prevailed till 1845, when it greatly needing repair, both inside 
and out, the First Parish made the town the following proposi- 
tion, viz. : "To convey to the town of Gardner, the lower part 
of the meeting-house, belonging to the First Parish, in said 
town, being all of that part, which is between the ground and 
a level, with lower timbers of the gallery ; also, the two porches 
and the materials of which the galleries are made, on condition 
that the said town, in consideration thereof, shall agree to make 
a good substantial floor, over said lower part, on a level with 
the lower timbers of the galleries, and finish the apartment 
above said floor, erect pews, pulpit and singers' galleries, suita- 
ble for a place of religious worship, and make a porch, or pro- 
jection, at the east end of said house, with convenient stairs 
and entrance into said apartment, for religious worship ; and 
also paint the outside of said house, and shall agree to make 
one-half of all future repairs, and agree further, to keep said 
house insured, and in case of loss by fire, to pay over to said 
parish, one-half the amount received from said insurance, pro- 
vided that said town will comply with the following conditions, 
to wit : Said town shall reimburse to said parish, the appraised 



HI8T0RY OF GARDJ^EB. 489 

value of the risjhts of the pew holders, in said house, together 
with the expense of appraisal, etc. The fitting up of said upper 
part of the house, not above specified, shall be done, in such a 
manner, as a committee of said parish, chosen for that purpose, 
may agree with said town ; and the said parish shall pay over to 
said town, the full sum of money that they receive for the sale 
of pews, in said upper part of the house.'' 

Subsequently, Levi Heywood and others, offered to make the 
repairs, which were required by the parish, to finish the town 
hall, armory and selectmen's room, pay the proprietors of the 
old pews, and receive the proceeds of the new, for the sum of 
$1,500, on condition that a subscription of $1,000 should be 
made. Accordingly, the town voted, March 8th, 1845, "To 
accept the proposition of Levi Heywood and others, provided 
that a committee of the town, chosen for the purpose, agree 
with them about the details of finishing the town hall, armory 
and selectmen's room." Previously, Feb. 15th, 1845, the town 
had " Voted, To accept the proposition of the First Parish, in 
Gardner, in relation to repairing their meeting-house, for a 
town house and an armory." And " To give David Parker and 
others, the privilege of turning the meeting-house one quarter 
round, and building a belfry and providing a bell for said 
house." A committee of three were chosen, Avho were in- 
structed to have the house completed by the first day of No- 
vember, following. It appears, from this recoi'd, that the meet- 
ing-house, of the First Parish, had neither belfry nor bell, till 
1845. 

The church, connected with the First Parish, continued to 
worship in this house, till May 1st, 1867, Avhen, having united 
with the Evangelical Church, the edifice was sold to the Univer- 
salist Society, who occupied it, till the erection of their new 
church, the town having. May 15th, 1867, A-^oted, on certain 
conditions, to relinquish all its rights, in the church edifice, 
the lower part of which it had used for a town hall, till 1859. 
The Universalist Societ}', after the erection of their new church, 
sold the "bell meeting-house" to Mr. Charles Heywood, who 

62 



490 HISTORY OF GARDJSfER. 

has since removed the original part, to its present site on Chest- 
nut street. 

The porches, to this house, at the time of its remodeling, 
were removed, to the place now owned by Mr. William H. Lam- 
son, where, having been united, they form the shop now stand- 
ing upon his premises. The pews, in this meeting-house, were 
originally square, with their seats arranged with hinges so as to 
be lifted, while the congregation was standing. The clattering 
which was made all over the house, when these seats were let 
down, is still fresh in the minds of some now living. The pul- 
pit was on the north side of the church, opposite the main en- 
trance, and was one of those lofty structures, so common in 
those days, which was reached by long flights of stairs. Sus- 
pended above the preacher, was the sounding-board, which, 
to youthful eyes, seemed ever read}* to fall upon his head. 
On either side of the pulpit were seats for the deacons, 
selectmen and other ofiicials, while directly in front, were long 
pews, for the accommodation of the aged men, for in those 
days, old age received that consideration and respect, to which 
it is ever entitled. 

The position of the singers was, evidently, for several years, 
in the pews, upon the lower floor, as is seen by the following 
article, in a town warrant for September, 1789 : " To see if 
the town Avill build a pew for the singers to sit in, in the front 
gallery, in the meeting-house, in room of the seats or any part 
of the seats." The town voted to dismiss the article, leaving 
the singers still without special accommodations. The pre- 
sumption is, that for several years, the singing was conducted 
without very much assistance from musical instruments. In 
the warrant, for March meeting, 1797, there Avas an article 
" To see if the town will let a bass-viol be carried into the 
meeting-house, and played upon, in the time of singing, in the 
time of public worship." Upon which, the town "Voted, To 
let a bass-viol come into the meeting-house on Sunday's." It is 
possible that some, in the congregation, may have had serious 
objections to the presence of this instrument, in the house of 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 491 

God, for, in March, 1799, there was au article in the warrant, 
" To see if the town will clo anything further about the bass- 
viol, act or transact anything thereto." Upon which, the town 
" Voted, That the singers act as they think best about bringing 
the bass-viol into the meeting-house, or not bringing it in." 

It should be observed here, that the old meeting-house was, 
for many years, entirely destitute of any means of heating, foot- 
stoves supplying the place of modern conveniences for making 
the worshiper comfortable. During the intermission, the con- 
gregation availed themselves of the glowing fire, upon neigh- 
boring hearth-stones, at which, having warmed themselves, and 
refilled, with glowing coals, their foot-stoves, they were ready 
for the service of the afternoon. Nor should we overlook the 
existence of the tithing men, whose presence, in the congrega- 
tion, was recognized, by every boy, whose good behavior, in 
time of worship, this important functionary was empowered to 
secure. 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The first church of Christ formed, in this town, was the 
Congregational. It was constituted, by an ecclesiastical council 
convened for that purpose, February 1st, 1786. This council 
was composed of the neighboring churches of Westminster, 
Templeton, Winchendon and Ashburnham. This church, which 
has ever since been connected with the First Parish, was com- 
posed, originally, of members of the churches of the neighbor- 
ing towns, who brought from these churches, letters of dismis- 
sion and recommendation, to the council forming them into a 
church. At the same time, there were a few who united with 
this church by profession, making the total membership, at the 
organization of the church, thirty-three. The following is the 
covenant adopted by this church, in the presence of the coun- 
cil, at this time, there being no articles of faith : — 



492 HISTORY OF GAEDNFE. 

COVENANT. 

" We whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending 
ourselves called of God into the church state of the gospel, do 
iirst of all confess ourselves unworthy to be so highly favored 
of the Lord, and admire that free, rich grace of his, which tri- 
umphs over so great unworthiness. And thus with an humble 
reliance on the aids of grace therein promised for them that, in 
a sense of their inability to do any good thing, do humbly wait 
on him for all, thankfully laying hold on his covenant, and 
would choose the things that please him. 

" We declare our serious belief of the Christian religion, as 
contained in the sacred Scriptures, and with such a view thereof, 
as the confession of faith, in our churches, for the substance, 
has exhibited. Heartily resolving to conform our lives unto the 
rules of that holy religion, as long as we live in the world, we 
give up ourselves unto the blessed Jesus, who is the Lord Je- 
hovah, and adhere to him, as the head of his people, in the 
covenant of his grace, and rely on him as our Priest, and our 
Prophet and King, to bring us unto eternal blessedness. We 
acknowledge our e^'erlasting and indispensable obligations to 
glorify our God, in all the duties of a godly, sober and 
righteous life ; and very particularly, in the duties of a church 
state, and a body of people appointed for an obedience to him, 
in all the ordinances of the gospel. 

" And we thereupon depend upon his gracious assistance for 
our faithful discharge of the duties thus incumbent upon us. 
We desire and intend and, with dependence on his promised 
and powerful grace, we engage to walk together, as a Church 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the faith and order of the gospel, 
so far as we shall have the same revealed unto us, conscien- 
tiously attending the public worship of God, the sacraments of 
the New Testament, the discipline of his kingdom, and all liis 
holy institutions, in communion with one another; and watch- 
fully avoiding sinful stumbling blocks and contentions, as be- 
come a people whom the Lord has bound np together in a 
bundle of life. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 493 

" At the same time, we do also present our offspring with us, 
unto the Lord, professing, with his help, to maintain the daily 
worship of God in our houses, and to do our part in all the 
other methods of a religious education, that our children may 
be the Lord's. 

" And all this we do, flying to the blood of the everlasting cov- 
enant, for the pardon of our many errors, and praying that the 
glorious Lord, who is the Great Shepherd, would prepare and 
strengthen us for every good work, to do his will, working in 
us that which is well pleasing in his sight, to whom be glory 
forever and ever. Amen." 

Then follows the names of the subscril)ers to this covenant. 
Previous to this time, however, the town had not been remiss 
in its duty, in providing for itself, gospel preaching. In its third 
town meeting, held November 7th, 1785, the citizens were called 
upon " To know their minds concerning of hiring of preaching." 
A vote was passed, choosing "a committee to hire preaching. 
Voted, To hire four days' preaching." March 14th, 1786, the 
town " Voted, To hire preaching one-fourth of this year. Chose 
a committee of two, to hire preaching this year. Voted, To 
leave it to the committee, who to hire for to preach. Voted, 
That the committee hire four Sabbaths in the spring and four in 
the summer, and the rest in the fall." 

Although there Avas an article, in the warrant for the annual 
town meeting, for 1787, " to know the minds of the town, con- 
cerning hiring preaching the ensuing year, and grant money for 
the same," yet the town voted, to pass over this article. The 
inference is, that, being so busy in the erection of the new 
church, there was a disposition to economize, in matters of 
parochial expenses. 

In 1788, the town "Voted, To hire preaching the present 
year." Voted, £20 for this object, and that " the committee 
hire a man to begin to preach by the middle of May next, as 
near as thej^ can." 



494 HISTORY OF GARDNER, 

The town, at its annual meeting in 1789, voted to raise £20 
for preaching and chose a committee of three to carry their vote 
into effect. They then " Voted, That the committee that was 
chosen to hire preaching this year, hire Mr. Parker three Sab- 
baths following, then to lay out the rest of the money, as they 
shall think best for the town." May the 11th, of the same year, 
the town, evidently having heard with satisfaction, Mr. Parker, 
called a meeting " To see if the town would join with the church 
in giving Mr. Frederick Parker a call, to settle in the work of 
the gospel ministry, in this place." At this meeting they "Voted, 
That all freeholders shall have liberty to express their minds by 
vote, or verbally." "Voted, That they liked Mr. Frederick 
Parker well enough to have him for their gospel minister." 

"Voted, To join with the church, in giving Mr. Frederick 
Parker a call to settle in the work of the gospel ministrj' in this 
place." A committee was then chosen to draw conditions of 
settlement, which w^ere, that Mr. Parker was to receive " for 
the settlement, £150, to be paid in neat stock, at the then mar- 
ket price." " For salary £60 per year, for five years, and 
£()6 per year afterwards. One-half of the above salary, to be 
paid in produce of the farm, viz. : Beef, pork, grain, butter, 
cheese, at the market price ; also tw^euty cords of hard wood 
yearly, cord wood length, delivered at his dwelling house." It 
is evident, that Mr. Parker was, for some time, in doubt as to 
his duty, in declining or accepting this call, of the church and 
parish, since, on the twentieth day of the following October, 
the town was called together, to see if they were willing " that 
Mr. Frederick Parker would have until next spring, to make 
answer to the call that we have given, if it is agreeable to him." 
At this meeting, the town " Voted, That Mr. Frederick Parker 
may refuse giving his answer to the call given him, by the 
church and congregation, to the settlement in the gospel min- 
istry in this place, if it should be most agreeable to him, until 
next spring." They also voted, at the same time, to hire Mr. 
Frederick Parker six Sabbaths, beginning the second Sabbath 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 495 

in November, and preaching four Sabbaths then, and the other 
two next sprhig. At the March meeting, 1790, the town voted, 
to raise £30 for preaching and "that the committee hire Mr. 
Frederick Parker four Sabbaths, if he can be had." It is evi- 
dent, from the record, that Mr. Parker, after due deliberation, 
declined the call, for, in »Tune 1790, a town meeting was called 
"to see if the town will concur with the church, in renewing of 
the call of Mr. Frederick Parker, in the work of gospel min- 
istry in this place." The call was renewed, twenty-six voting in 
the affirmative and six in the ne^^ative. Although their hearts 
were evidently set upon Mr. Parker, as their first pastor, he, 
nevertheless, declined their second urgent call. In 1791, the 
town voted to expend £30 for preaching. They also " Voted, 
That the committee hire some person of a good character for 
four Sabbaths." 

At length, "the person of good character" appeared, who 
was destined to serve the town and church, as their pastor, for 
the succeeding thirty-one years. July 21st, 1791, the town was 
assembled to act, among others, upon the following article : 
"To see if the town will join with the church in giving Mr. 
Jonathan Osgood a call, to settle in the work of the gospel 
ministry, in this place." At this meeting, all the freeholders 
were desired, in the warrant, to attend and show their approba- 
tion, or disapproval, as they saw fit, as to giving Mr. Osgood a 
call. 

At this meeting, the town voted to unite with the church in 
giving Mr. Osgood a call, sixty freeholders voting in the affirm- 
ative, and three against it. " Tried by the voters, thirty-two 
for it, and two against it." A committee was also chosen, to 
draw conditions of settlement and salary. This committee, 
after an adjournment of about one hour, reported as follows : 
"First, for his settlement, £178, one-half of it to be paid in 
one year, from the time of his settlement with us in the gospel 
ministry, and thq other half in two years, from his settlement ; 
and £75 for his salary, yearly, as long as he continues in the 
gospel ministry with us." This report, of the committee, was 



496 HI8T0EY OF GARDNER. 

not agreeable to the town, thirty-four freeholders voting for, 
and thirty against the report, while nineteen voters were in 
favor, and fifteen against it. The vote was reconsidered. The 
town then voted for the settlement of Mr. Osgood, £160, and 
for his salary, £75. 

Snbsequentl}', the town voted to give Mr. Osgood, twenty 
cords of hard wood, yearly, to be delivered at his dwelling 
house, to begin in three years after he should be settled. On 
the conditions above described, Mr Osgood accepted the call, 
in a letter, a copy of which may be found on page 170, vol. 1, 
Town Records. In this letter, to the church and congregation, 
bearing date, September 21st, 1791, he says, " I trust that you 
will endeavor to strengthen my hands by your Christian con- 
duct, and that you will be desirous that harmony should be kept 
up with the neighboring churches, and that I should frequently 
exchange with my brethren, the clergy. The proposals you have 
made me for m}^ support, are according to the infancy of the 
town. If at any future period, as you increase in wealth, I 
should stand in need, 1 trust you will be ready to alFord me 
relief. I shall depend that j^ou punctually fulfill the proposals 
you have made." 

Previously to this date, July 6th, 1791, the church taking 
the lead, as it always should in such matters, had passed a vote 
inviting Mr. Osgood to become their pastor, also, " To choose 
a committee to apply to the selectmen for to call a town meet- 
ing, to see if the toAvn will join with the church, in giving Mr. 
Jonathan Osgood a call, to settle as a gospel minister in this 
place." September 21st, 1791, the church " Voted, To send 
to the five adjacent churches and to two churches in Andover, 
the second church in Boxford, the church in Littleton and the 
church in Bolton, for a council to assist in the ordination of 
Mr. Jonathan Osgood as a gospel minister in this place." This 
council was convened October 18th and 19th, and after the ex- 
amination of Mr. Osgood, and the proceedings of the church 
and town, in giving him a call, the church " Voted, That it was 
their desire that the council proceed to ordination." It appears 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 497 

from the above records, that Mr. Osgood was installed as the 
first pastor of this town, October 19th, 1791. 

Rev. Jonathan Osgood was born in Andover, Mass., Septem- 
ber 21st, 1761. In early life, he was engaged in the business 
of a tanner, which he was obliged to relinquish, on account of 
ill health. He then fitted for college, graduating at Yale, in 
1789. It is not known, with whom he studied theology. As 
is elsewhere indicated, in this work, Mr. Osgood was a very 
active and useful pastor, among the people of those earlier 
days, who were prompt, in fulfilling their pecuniary obligations 
to him. Sometimes, in case of depreciation of the currency, 
they made him a present of £25, and annually voted him twenty 
cords of " good hard wood," to be delivered at his door, at a 
specified time. This wood was always vendued ofi" at the an- 
nual town meeting, in lots of four cords each. 

Aside from performing the duties of a pastor and physician, 
he was the counsellor of those, in the town, who needed advice 
on subjects not immediately connected with his two professions. 
He never allowed his medical business, however, to interfere 
with his duties, as a minister, on the Sabbath. It was always 
understood, that if a physician was needed, at a time which 
would interfere with his clerical duties, on the Sabbath, another 
than himself must be sent for. From this course, he was never 
known to deviate. Some are now living, who have a ^ivid re- 
membrance of the appearance of Mr. Osgood, as he rode hur- 
riedly to the steps of the meeting-house, upon his foaming 
horse, at the hour of morning service, having just come from 
visiting his patients, in some distant part of the town, some 
kind parishioner taking charge of the beast, while its owner 
reverently ascended the pulpit stairs, as a physician of the souls 
of those, for whom he was set to watch. Mr. Osgood was 
actively interested in all municipal and state afiairs, serving the 
town as a member of the school board, drafting petitions to the 
General Court, and the President of the United States, and 
representing the town, in the legislature. He built, for himself, 
the house now owned by Deacon Henry Lawrence, where he 

63 



498 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

died, May 21st, 3 822, greatly lamented by his parishioners and 
friends, whom he had served, as a minister of the gospel and 
l)hysician, for nearly thirty-one years, and was buried at the 
expense of his parish, which then embraced the whole town. 
He married Miss Orange Wadsworth, of Farmington, Ct., by 
whom he had five children. 

Mr. Osgood was a man of fine personal appearance, very 
portly in his mien, possessing a loud, clear-toned voice, which 
he used with impressive effect, in offering prayer, while seated 
upon his horse, on the muster field. 

" A mau he was to all the country dear, 

And passing rich with forty pounds a year. 

Remote from towns, he ran his godly race, 

Nor e'er had chang'd nor wish'd to change bis place." 

The church, under the ministrations of Mr. Osgood, enjoyed 
a goodly degree of prosperity. It was not, however, without 
some instances of heart burnings, derelictions from duty, on 
the part of some of its members, and cases of discipline, which 
were faithfully attended to, by the pastor and the church. Some 
of its members absented themselves from divine service, be- 
cause, as they informed the committee, they had not money to 
buy decent clothes and to pay for the elements used at the 
Lord's Su[)per. Some also, like Mr. Sullivan Jackson, gave 
the church trouble and anxiety, because of their rejection of 
the rite of infant baptism. Others, not satisfied Avith the 
" standing order," desired to withdraw to other churches. 
Some were offended with their brethren and ceased to attend 
communion. All these disturbing elements were kindly and 
patiently dealt with, by the pastor and the people, in order to 
reclaim them, but, in some cases, without avail. It should be 
remembered, that these were times when the various reliiiious 
denominations, which had sprung up, and were disseminating 
their new views, were making their influence felt, in every town 
throughout the commonwealth, and were greatly disturbing the 
serenity to the " standing order," who looked with no com- 
placency upon the departure of any of its members, to other 
folds. 



HISTORY OF GABBJSrUB. 499 

Subsequently, to the death of Mr. Osgood, the pulpit was 
supplied, by various individuals, some of whom came very near 
being called, as pastor, till 1824, when a town meeting was 
called. May 3d, to see if they would give a call to Mr. Sumner 
Lincoln, to settle as a stated gospel minister. The town 
" Voted, To give Mr. Sumner Lincoln a call to settle with us, 
in the work of the ministry," one hundred and twelve voting in 
the affirmative and none in the negative. Mr. Lincoln was to 
receive five hundred dollars as his salary, with the addition of 
a pew, called the minister's pew, in the meeting-house, for his 
use, " so long as he should supply the desk, as a gospel min- 
ister." Mr. Lincoln accepted the ofier, making, at the same 
time, a request, which the town voted to grant, to have the 
privilege of being absent two or three Sabbaths, annually, if 
he should wish to visit his friends. Previously, upon the same 
day, without a dissenting voice, the church voted to invite Mr. 
Lincoln to become their pastor. The town, acting in its 
capacity as parish, chose a committee, at the same time, to 
confer with Mr. Lincoln, in regard to a council, for his ordina- 
tion and installation. This committee reported that the follow- 
ing churches be invited with their pastors and delegates : "The 
Congregational Church in Athol, Barre, Templeton, Hubbards- 
tou, Westminster, Petersham, Ashburnham and Ashby." At 
the same meeting, the town " Voted, That a committee of five 
be chosen to let out, to the lowest bidder, the provision for the 
council ; to appoint marshals for the day, and secure the meet- 
ing-house against damage." They also " Voted, That the fore- 
going committee, be a committee to send the letters missive, to 
the council." 

It will be seen, that this w^as a departure from the true 
method, which should always be observed by the church, in 
taking the lead in extending a call to a candidate, and inviting 
the parish to concur. This unusual proceeding is explained, 
by the fact, that the church had previouly voted, February 12th, 
1823, unanimously, " To yield the privilege and to dispense 
with the custom of preceding the town, on occasions of this 



500 HISTORY OF GAllDITEE. 

kind, aud to act with the town, in convention, in all measures 
relating to a settlement of the gospel ministry among them." 
The council, which ordained and installed Mr. Lincoln, over 
the First Church, in Gardner, as its second pastor, convened, 
for that purpose, June 16th, 1824. 

Mr. Lincoln was born, at AVarren, June 20th, 1799. He grad- 
uated at Yale College, in 1822, and studied theology at New 
Haven, Conn., and, as stated above, was ordained and installed 
over the First Churcii and Parish, in Gardner, June IGth, 1824, 
from which he was dismissed, by an ecclesiastical council, August 
11th, 1830, that he might become the first pastor of the Evan- 
gelical Congregational Church and Society, of Gardner, over 
which, he was installed, as pastor, upon the same day of his 
dismission, from the First Church and Parish, which he had 
served, as pastor, for a little more than six years. Mr. Lincoln 
was twice married. His first wife was Miss Gratia E. Smith, 
daughter of Dr. Nathan Smith, of New Haven, by whom he had 
ten children. His second wife was Mrs. Abbie Comee Harwood, 
daughter of Mr. James M. Comee, of Gardner, by whom he 
had two children. Mr. Lincoln is now pastor of the First Con- 
gregational Unitarian Society, of Wilton, N. H. In 1857, the 
name Increase was legally prefixed to his name, which was given 
him in infancy, but which was never recorded. He was named 
for Increase Sumner, Governor of Massachusetts, who died the 
year he was born. As a minister of the gospel and pastor of 
the First Congregational Church, and afterwards of the Evan- 
gelical Congregational Church, in this place, he was alwa3's 
actively interested in everything that pertained to the highest 
welfare of the town, and to the spiritual interests of the people 
whom he served. He was, for several years, a member of the 
school committee, and did very much to improve the educational 
advantages of the town. At the time of his settlement, in Gard- 
ner, the two great national questions, of slavery and temperance, 
were coming prominently before the public, in which Mr. Lin- 
coln became greatly interested, both as a strong anti-slavery and 
temperance man. Into the discussion of these questions, both 



HIS TOBY OF G ARBITER. 501 

in private and in public, Mr. Lincoln entered, with great zeal 
and persistent energy, which have never abated, even to this 
seventy-ninth year of his age, and fifty-fourth of his ministry. 
It should be stated, in this connection, that the last vote of the 
town, acting in its double capacity of town and parish, was 
passed April 2d, 1827, during Mr. Lincoln's pastorate of the 
First Church, and was as follows : " Voted, To grant five hun- 
dred dollars for the Eev. Sumner Lincoln's salary." From this 
date, the town and parish virtually ceased to be one. 

At this particular period, in the history of the First Church 
and Parish, namely, 1830, there sprung up a diversity of religious 
sentiment, respecting what is termed Unitarianism and Ortho- 
doxy, which resulted in a division of the church, and the dismis- 
sion of Mr. Lincoln, the strictly evangelical portion withdrawing 
and formiug a new church and society, of Gardner, hereafter to 
be noticed. Previous to this separation, an amicable arrange- 
ment was entered into, whereby the tankards, cups, plates, table- 
cloth, and chest containing these articles, should be owned and 
used in common, by the remaining and the newly formed church ; 
also, that the money in hajid, and otherwise due, should be 
equally divided between them. 

At the same time, namely, July 28th, 1830, Mr. Lincoln made 
the following proposition to the First Parish : "I hereby agree 
to have the civil contract, between me and the First Parish and 
Church, in Gardner, dissolved, and to take a dismission from 
the same, provided the parish will pay me one hundred and 
twenty-five dollars, and pay their proportional part of what is 
coming to me for preaching since my ministerial year commenced, 
till the contract is dissolved ; and provided they will agree to 
call a council, of three ministers and delegates, that I shall 
choose, to carry the same into efiect, and provided they will 
grant me the use of the meeting-house, and to preach in it, till 
the first cf September, next." 

Whereupon, the parish "Voted, To accept the agreement 
which Rev. Mr. Lincoln made with the committee, provided the 
parish be at no expense for the council.'' Also, "Voted, To 



502 HISTOBY OF GARDINER. 

grant one hundred and sevent}' dollars for the purposes specified 
in the warrant." Haviuo^ now virtually become a Unitarian 
Church and Society, measures were at once adopted by the par- 
ish, to provide itself a pastor, in sympathy with their religious 
views. November 1st, 1830, a meeting of the parish was 
called, to see if a call should be extended to Mr. Jonathan Farr, 
to settle with them as their minister. A call was extended to 
Mr. Farr, November 15th. The salary offered was four hundred 
dollars a year, to be paid semi-annually. He was to remain 
their pastor so long as the majority of the parish were satisfied 
with him ; whenever they were dissatisfied with him, they were 
to sfive him three months' notice. In case he should become 
dissatisfied with them, he was to give the same notice. His dis- 
missal, whenever it occurred, was to take place without expense 
to the parish. Mr. Farr was ordained, as pastor of the First 
Church, by a council composed of Unitarian ministers, Decem- 
ber 9th, 1830, and was dismissed in July, 1833. 

Rev. Jonathan Farr w\as born at Harvard, September 20th, 
1790. Studied theology at Harvard College. After his dis- 
mission from Gardner, he never was again settled as a minister. 
He died June 3d, 1844. 

September 21st, 1833, the parish voted to give Mr. Curtis 
Cutler a call, to become their pastor, at a salary of five hundred 
dollars a 3'ear, to be paid annually. The conditions, of his 
settlement, were the same as those of Mr. Farr, He was 
ordained and installed October 30th, 1833. His connection 
with the parish ceased in 1839. 

Rev. Curtis Cutler was born in Lexington, January 1st, 1806. 
He was a graduate of Harvard College, where he studied the- 
ology. He died in Cambridge, in September, 1874. As a 
pastor, Mr. Cutler was well received by his parishioners. He 
was dismissed from Gardner, at his own request. His depart- 
ure was greatly regretted by those to whom he ministered. Dur- 
ing his ministry, the parish " Voted, To give leave to take the 
sounding board down, and whatever it fetches, to go towards 
trimming the pulpit." After the dismission olf Mr. Cutler, Rev. 



HISTORY OF GABBuSrUB. 503 

George W. Stacy supplied the pulpit of this society for one year 
or more. Commencing in 1843, Rev. W. H. Fish supplied the 
pulpit, for a short time. Here ended, virtually,* the existence 
of this church, as a distinctively Unitarian body. 

April 27th, 1846, there was an effort made to unite this society, 
with the Evangelical Congregational Society. Messrs. Smyrna 
W. Bancroft, David Parker and Amasa Whitney were a com- 
mittee, on the part of the First Parish, to effect this union. 
The}' proposed, "That it be referred to the ministers of the 
Worcester North Association, to recommend candidates, for the 
supply of the pulpit, till such times as the two societies, united, 
shall find one, in whom the}' can unite in settling over them, as 
pastor." 

The Evangelical Congregational Society voted to accept this 
proposition, " provided the First Parish will add to it, the fol- 
lowing amendment, viz. : That the societies, when united, shall 
employ Rev. William B. Stone to preach for one year, and 
after that, if we can't agree in the minister, to refer it to the 
association, according to the proposal of the committee of the 
First Parish." At an adjourned meeting, December 21st, 1846, 
the Evangelical Society, "Voted, That under the present cir- 
cumstances of the two societies, it is inexpedient to unite the 
two societies. We therefore choose to postpone the matter for 
the present." 

Following Mr. Fish, was Rev. Mr. Banister, who was a strong 
Calviuist, and in connection with whose ministry, the church 
began to turn its sympathies towards orthodoxy, as it is gener- 
ally termed. Precisely how long Mr. Banister occupied, or sup- 
plied the pulpit, is not stated, in the church or parish records. 

October 18th, 1847, the church extended a unanimous call to 
Rev. John C. Paine, to become their pastor. In this action of 
the church, the parish concurred, oflfering him a salary of six 
hundred dollars per annum, and two Sabbaths vacation. Hav- 
ing accepted this invitation of the church and parish, Mr. Paine 
was installed, January 12th, 1848, and dismissed in May, 1864. 



504 HISTORY OF GAEDNEE. 

Rev. John C. Paine was bom in Ashfielcl, Mass., January 
29th, 1806. He graduated at Amherst College, in 1834. He 
studied theology at the Theological Institute at Hartford, Conn., 
and at Princeton Theological Seminary, N. J. He was ordained 
to the gospel ministry in 1838. He married Miss Eliza Folger 
of Nantucket, in 1839. He is now residing at Groveland, 
Mass. During his pastorate of this church, Mr. Paine proved 
himself to be a gentleman of thorough culture, ot affable man- 
ners, a studious and devoted pastor, thoroughly interested in the 
welfare of the people, whom he ever sought to inspire with 
courage and hopefulness, in times of great misfortune and dis- 
couragement. As a preacher, Mr. Paine was thoroughly' evan- 
gelical, in the doctrines which he promulgated, possessing a 
pleasing and attractive address in the pulpit, and drew to him- 
self and the society, a steadily increasing congregation, so that, 
for a time, there was no spare pew to be rented in the church. 
Under his ministry, the church voted, February, 1857, to 
change their creed and to adopt another, more evangelical. 

August 9th, 1864, the parish "Voted, To unite with the 
church in giving Rev. William D. Herrick, a call to settle over 
them as their minister, on a salary of one thousand dollars per 
year, to be paid quarterly," which was afterwards increased to 
fifteen hundred. 

Rev. William D. Herrick was born in Methuen, Mass., 
March 26th, 1831. He prepared for college at Atkinson Acad- 
emy, N. H., and graduated at Amherst College, in 1857. He 
studied theology at Andover Theological Seminary, and was 
ordained at Redding, Conn., January 18th, 1860, where he re- 
mained till September 1st, 1864. He was installed pastor of the 
First Congregational Church and Parish, in Gardner, October 
19th, 1864, President J. H. Seelye, of Amherst College, preach- 
ing the installation sermon. Upon the union of the two 
churches of Gardner, he was dismissed, May 27th, 1867, and 
was installed, as pastor of the Congregational Church, in North 
Amherst, Mass., September 19th, 1867, where he remained till 
June 11th, 1874, when he was installed pastor of the First 



,4^^- 



dlM ' I'll 






^^iB 




1 



u 



HISTORY OF GARDNEIL 505 

Congregational Church, in Gardner, Prof. R. H. Mather of 
Amherst College, preaching the sermon of installation. Dur- 
ing Mr. Herrick's ministry, as the last pastor, of the First 
Church and Parish, previous to their union with the Evangelical 
Church and Society, the church and parish were thoroughly 
united, harmonious and prosperous. 

EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY AND 
CHURCH 

From 1830 to 1867. 

Having traced the principal events connected with the First 
Parish and Church, from the time of their organization, in 1785 
and 178(), to the time of their union with the Evangelical 
Church and Society, in 1867, we will now go back and take up 
the history of the Evangelical Congregational Society and 
Church, from the date of their organization to the time of the 
union of the two churches. 

The Evangelical Congregational Society was legally organ- 
ized June 25th, 1830, by the adoption of the following consti- 
tution : — 

We, the subscribers, members of the religious society, in the 
town of Gardner, called the Evangelical Congregational Society, 
considering it our privilege, as well as our duty to assist each 
other in the support of the gospel ministry, do hereby form 
into a society, by the name of the Evangelical Congregational 
Society of Gardner, for the above purposes, and promise, cove- 
nant and agree to and with each other, that w^e will conform to 
and be governed by the following articles, viz. ; — 

Art. 1. There shall be chosen, annually, a President, to 
preside at all meetings of the society. 

Art. 2. A Clerk shall be annually chosen, whose duty it 
shall be to record the proceedings, and transact all the business 
of the society, agreeable to the statute of the commonwealth. 

Art. 3. A Prudential Committee shall be chosen annually, 
whose duty it shall be to solicit subscriptions, for the support 
of the gospel ministry in this society, and collect all moneys 

64 



506 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

subscribed therefor, and manage all the prudential concerns of 
the society. 

Art. 4. A Treasurer shall be chosen annually, whose duty 
it shall be to receive in and pay out, all moneys of the society, 
subject to the order of the prudential committee of said society. 

Art. 5. All the officers of the society shall be chosen by 
ballot. 

Art. 6. Any person voluntarily becoming a member of this 
society, shall be holden to pay all moneys by him or her sub- 
scribed ; and may withdraw, at any time, by paying whatever 
may be due from such person, to the society. 

Art. 7. There shall be an annual meeting of the society, 
holden on the second Monday in April, for the purpose of 
choosing officers and transacting any other business of the 
society. 

Art. 8. A meeting of the society shall be called, at any 
time, by the request of ten or more of the members of the 
society ; and the prudential committee shall give, at least eight 
days notice, in such manner as the society shall direct. 

Art. 9. Immediately after the adoption of this constitution, 
there shall be chosen a committee of three or more to receive 
all voluntary subscriptions, by individuals, in money, material, 
or labor to be applied to the building a meeting-house, for 
public and religious worship of said society, in the following 
manner : That when said meeting-house shall have been finished, 
the pews — except so many as shall be thought necessary, by 
the society, to be reserved, for the accommodation of those 
who are unable or unwilling to hire pews — shall be rented to 
the members of the society — subject in manner to their direc- 
tion — and the money arising from the rent, shall be applied to 
the support of the gospel ministry, in this society ; that is, to 
pay as far as it goes, or is neccessary, the stated salary of our 
present minister; and after him, to pay the salary of any one, 
whom the church and society shall call to preach to them, or to 
be their settled gospel minister. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 507 

Art. 10. All persons, who contribute of their propert}' for 
the building of said house, shall have no exclusive public or 
private interest in the same, above any member of said society, 
so long as it shall be applied to the use, and in the manner 
above said ; but when, if ever, said house ceases to be so ap- 
plied, it shall revert to those individuals, in this place, (Gard- 
ner) or their heirs, who contributed of their wealth, to the 
amount of five dollars, and said house may be disposed of ac- 
cording to their directions; provided, nevertheless, that the 
original contributors, or their heirs, in this place, shall appro- 
priate to their own private use, only the principal, originally 
given : the remaining value of the house, shall be appropriated, 
in money, to missionary purposes ; to aid that class of Chris- 
tians in their missionary efforts, domestic or foreign, in this 
state, (Massachusetts) commonly distinguished, at this date, 
(1830), by the name of Orthodox. 

Art. 11. This constitution and form of government may 
be revised or altered — excepting the tenth article, which shall 
never be altered — at a meeting of the society, called for that 
purpose, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. 

Art. 12. Any person wishing to become a member of said 
society, shall produce a certificate of recommendation, from the 
prudential committee. 

Such was the basis upon which the Evangelical Society was 
originally formed. Forty-one male members immediately signed 
the above constitution, by which they were formed into a society 
for the transaction of business. The necessary officers were 
chosen upon the day of incorporation. A committee was 
immediately chosen, to solicit subscriptions for building a 
meeting-house, and to " examine a piece of ground to set the 
meeting-house upon, and receive proposals." At an adjourned 
meeting, on the same day, a vote was passed "to have the 
society buy a piece of land of Esquire Glazier, near the pound, 
to set the meeting-house upon." Mr. John Merriam was chosen 
to procure a plan of Rev. Mr. Gay's meeting-house, in Hubbards- 



508 HISTORY OF GAllBKEll. 

ton. The prudential committee were authorized to take a deed 
of Mr. GUizier, of as much land as they should think necessary. 
A committee of three was chosen to let out the materials for 
building the meeting-house. July 2d, 1830, the society " Voted, 
That the timber and materials, for a frame, for a meeting-house, 
shall be brought near the spot where the house is to stand, 
where the prudential committee shall direct, by the 10th day of 
September, next." All the necessary materials having been 
provided, the meeting-house was raised, October 2d, 1830, the 
society voting " to have no ardent spirits drank, at the raising." 
The interior was finished the winter following. 

This meeting-house was dedicated June 16th, 1831, the 
society having " Voted, That the Rev. Sumner Lincoln have 
his choice of all the pews in the meeting-house, for his use." 
"Voted, That the pews Nos. 1 and 2 be reserved for elderly 
people." November 19th, 1846, the meeting-house greatl}^ 
needing repair, the society voted to take out all the pews, and 
bring the floor to a level, to build new pews, place the pulpit 
at the north end, build a gallery, for the singers, at the south 
end, and make such other repairs as should be necessary. 

February 14th, 1855, a meeting of the society was called 
to consider the project of building a new meeting-house. 
A committee of three was chosen, to ascertain whether the 
original proprietors, of the society's first meeting-house, Avould 
relinquish their claims to it, if they had any. Also a com- 
mittee of six was chosen, to ascertain if sufficient funds could 
be raised, to build a new meeting-house, and to see if a place 
could be found, on which to locate it. The society continued 
to worship in this meeting-house, until sometime in the year 
1855, when it was abandoned as a house of worship, and be- 
came a part of the chair shop of Mr. Calvin S. Greenwood, at 
South Gardner. 

August 9th, 1855, the new church, of this society, was raised, 
prayer being olTered, at the raising, by Rev. Abijah Stowell, 
pastor. This church was built, by recommendation of a build- 
ing committee, after the model of the Barre church. It was 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 509 

dedicated May 8th, 1856. Its cost was about nine thousand 
dollars. This society continued to worship in this house, until 
the union, in the spring of 1867. In February, of this year, a 
movement, looking to the union of the two churches and socie- 
ties, began to be made, which, after frequent meetings and 
much discussion, on the part of both societies, resulted in the 
adoption of the following resolutions, as the basis of union : — 
The report, of the two committees, chosen to elfect an union, 
between the two Congregational Societies, in Gardner, embody- 
ing the conditions, etc., is as follows : — 

At a meeting of the committee of the First Parish, of Gard- 
ner, and the committee of the Evangelical Congregational So- 
ciety of Gardner, chosen to confer together and agree upon 
conditions for an union of the two societies, Thomas E. Gla- 
zier was chosen chairman, C. K. Wood and J. M. Moore were 
chosen secretaries, the following resolution and conditions were 
agreed upon and adopted : — 

Resolved, That the two societies be united, upon the follow- 
ing conditions, viz : — 

First, the Evangelical Congregational Society dissolve their 
organization, and the members join the First Parish. 

Second, the pew holders in the Evangelical Congregational 
Society, permit their pews to be resold at auction, to the 
highest bidder, above the original appraisal, upon condition that 
they shall receive a sum equal to the original appraisal for the 
same. If any pew shall not be sold, then it shall remain the 
property of the person previously owning it, unless such per- 
son has purchased some other pew, in the house of said society, 
in which case, such person shall be allowed the original appraisal 
and the pew shall become the property of the First Parish. If 
any of the pews now belonging to the Evangelical Congrega- 
tional Society shall remain unsold, then the First Parish shall 
take all such as are not sold, at the original appraisal. 

Third, the present members of the First Parish shall pay to 
the Evangelical Congregational Society, the sum of eight hun- 
dred and forty-three dollars for one-half of their organ, and the 



510 HISTORY OF GARDNEli. 

Evangelical Congregational Society shall allow the present 
members of the First Parish, the sum of two hundred dollars, 
for one-half of their right in the bell, upon the house of the 
First Parish. Then the above-named orsan and rieht in the 
bell are to become the property of the united societies. 

Fourth, it is furthermore agreed, that the present members, 
of the First Parish, shall retain their meeting-house and satisfy 
the claims of the pew holders in the same. Provided, the said 
members shall remove the meeting-house from the common, 
after having six months notice from the First Parish. And it 
is also agreed that the E> angelical Congregational Society shall 
transfer and convey to the First Parish, all their real estate. 

Thos. E. Glazier, 
C. S. Greek WOOD, 
George Kelton, 
S. K. Pierce, 
J. M. Moore, 
Levi Heywood, 
S. W. Bancroft, 
C. W. Bush, 
Amasa Bancroft, 
C. K. Wood, 
Gardner, April 18th, 1867. 

At a subsequent meeting, of this union committee, held May 
7th, 1867, it was " Voted, That the pew holders, in the Evan- 
gelical Society, give possession of the pews in their house, on 
the 30th of May, 1867." In accordance with the above agree- 
ment, the two societies began worshiping together, as one, 
upon the first Sabbath in June, 1867. 

THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
From the most accurate information which we are able to 
obtain, from the church and parish records, the Evangelical Con- 
gregational Church was formed, August 11th, 1830. The mem- 
bers, composing it, were those who had withdrawn from the 
church connected with the First Parish, because of the latter's 
unsoundness. This secession seems to have been a step seri- 



Commiitee 

of the 

Two Parishes. 



HISTORY OF GARDNEH. 511 

ously contemplated, for a long time, previous to final action. 
How large the number of those seceding was, we have no means 
of stating. It would appear, from the records, that the church, 
which became connected with the new society, regarded itself, 
as in fact, the church while associated with the First Parish, and 
that, by its own act, was transferring itself to the Evangelical 
Society. 

Previous to their separation from the First Parish, and their 
union with this society, they " Voted, That this church agree to 
be connected with the Evangelical Congregational Society, of 
Gardner, for the support and enjoyment of religious worship 
and ordinances, immediately after the Rev. S. Lincoln is dis- 
missed, as contemplated." The record then goes on to state 
that, " Whereas, This church having consented to the dismis- 
sion of our pastor, the Rev. S. Lincoln, from us, in connec- 
tion with the First Parish, Avith the full purpose of retaining 
his pastoral services to us, in connection with the Evangelical 
Congregational Society of Gardner : — 

Resolved, That we will unite with the E. C. Society, of 
Gardner, in requesting him to become our minister, and to have 
his pastoral relation renewed to us, in connection with the said 
society, on the same day that it will be dissolved, according to 
a contemplated arningement." 

A committee was chosen, at this time, to inform Mr. Lincoln 
of the action of the church, and to receive his answer, which 
was in the affirmative ; also to unite, with a committee of the 
Evangelical Society, in calling a council, to install Mr. Lincoln, 
upon the same day that his connection with the First Parish 
should be dissolved. The council, which dismissed Mr. Lin- 
coln from the First Parish, and installed him over the Evan- 
gelical Church and Society, convened August 11th, 1830. The 
society, which concurred in the action of the church, oflered a 
salary of four hundred dollars. Mr. Lincoln continued the 
pastor of this church, until February 23d, 1842, when his pas- 
toral relation was dissolved, by a mutual council. 



512 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

The church and parish, having previously, extended a call 
to Mr. William B. Stone, to become their pastor, at a salary of 
five hundred dollars a year, " beginning on the day of his ordi- 
nation and ,to be paid in quarterly payments," with a vacation 
of two Sabbaths, he was ordained and installed upon the same 
day and by the same council, which dismissed Mr. Lincoln. 
Mr. Stone continued the pastor of this church, till August, 
1850, when his pastoral relation was dissolved on account " of 
bodily infirmity." 

Rev. William B. Stone was born in North Brookfield, Janu- 
ary 24th, 1811. He graduated at Amherst College, in 1839. 
He entered Audover Theological Seminary, the same year, but 
finding the rules, of the institution, in regard to discussing the 
subject of slavery, too rigid to suit his views, he left, atter a 
few months, and continued his theological studies wnth the cele- 
brated anti-tobacco apostle. Rev. George Trnsk, then of War- 
ren. Mr. Stone, having served this church eight 3'ears and 
a half, retired from the ministry and went to live with his 
parents, at the old homestead in West Brookfield, where he 
still resides, making farming his principal business. He was a 
member of the legislature, in 1873. 

Subsequent to the dismission of Mr. Stone, Rev. D. C. Frost, 
for a time, supplied the pulpit, at a salary of five hundred dol- 
lars per year. March 25th, 1852, the society invited Rev. 
Abijah Stowell to become their stated minister, at a salary of 
four hundred and seventy-five dollars per year, to be paid in 
semi-annual payments. 

Rev. Abijah Stowell was born in Lyndon, Vt., August 20th, 
1815. Without receiving a collegiate education, he studied 
theology at Andover, where he graduated in 1844. He com- 
menced his labors in Gardner, in May, 1852, and was acting 
pastor, of this church, about five years. 

October 13th, 1857, a call, was extended to Rev. J. W. 
Healy, to become pastor of this church and society, at a salary 
of seven hundred dollars, per annum, to be paid quarterly. Mr. 
Healy was installed December 3d, 1857, and was dismissed at 



HISTORY OF GABBJSrUB. 513 

his own request, July 11th, 1859. Since his dismission, from 
Gardner, Mr. Healy has received the degree of D. D.,and was, 
for a time, President of Strait University, La., and is now pastor 
of a church in Ottumwa, Iowa. 

October 29th, 1859, the church and society extended a call 
to Rev. Samuel J. Austin, at a salary of eight hundred dollars 
per annum, he to have three Sabbaths, annually, for himself, 
and to leave at any time, by giving three months notice. Hav- 
ing accepted this call, Mr. Austin was installed over this church 
December 8th, 1859, and was dismissed at his own request, 
in May, 1864. 

Rev. Samuel J. Austin was born in Becket, Mass., Novem- 
ber 22d, 1826. He graduated at Union College, in 1847. He 
studied theology at East Windsor, Conn., and at Andover. 

After Mr. Austin's dismission, the church had various candi- 
dates, to some of whom, they unavailingly extended an invita- 
tion to become their pastor. Among these, were Revs. John 
W. Dodge, Temple Cutler, A. K. Wilcox and L. S. Watts. 
April 5th, 1866, the church and society extended a call to Mr. 
George F. Stanton, offering him a salary of one thousand dol- 
lars per annum, and giving him three Sabbaths vacation. The 
committee chosen to confer with Mr. Stanton, assured him, 
" that an unusual degree of cordiality and unanimity, in regard 
to your settlement with us, prevails throughout the parish." 
Having accepted this call, Mr. Stanton was ordained and in- 
stalled over this church, June 6th, 1866, Rev. Eden B. Foster, 
D. D., of Lowell, preaching the sermon, and Rev. W. D. Her- 
rick of the First Church, extending the right hand of fellow- 
ship. As the last pastor of the Evangelical Church and So- 
ciety, Mr. Stanton was dismissed, May 27th, 1867, in order 
that the union between the two churches might be consummated. 

Rev. George F. Stanton was born in Lowell, December 16th, 
1835. Having prepared for college at Dummer Academy, he 
graduated at Amherst, in 1863. He studied theology at Ban- 
gor Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1866. Since 
October 27th, 1870, he has been the pastor of the Congrega- 

65 



514 HI8T0BY OF GARDNER. 

tional Church of South Weymouth, Mass. While pastor of 
this church, Mr. Stanton engaged in his pastoral duties, with 
great ardor and efficiency, and, though his connection with the 
church was brief, he did very much in promoting its spiritual 
welfare. 

From the time of the formation of this church and society, 
down to the date of its union with the First Church and Parish, 
the Evangelical Church ever exhibited an aggressive and pro- 
gressive spirit. Some of the votes, which it has placed on 
record, are worthy of notice. May loth, 1835, "the church 
unanimously passed a resolution, to refuse to acknowledge slave- 
holders, as christians, by communing with them at the Lord's 
table, and also to refuse to acknowledge a slave-holding minister, 
to be a christian minister, by sitting under his preaching, 
knowing them to be guilty of the sin of slave-owning." June 
6th, 1839, the church voted, " That it is the dut}^ of the pastor 
to preach prejxiratory lectures, and the duty of each member 
of the church to attend." 

The following preamble and resolution was presented by Mr. 
Asa Eichardson, July 1st, 1842, and passed by the church, at 
a regular church meeting : — 

" Whereas, the ministers and members of the churches of our 
land, are, many of them, partakers of the guilt of slavery, 
either by holding slaves, or by apologizing for the wicked sys- 
tem, and whereas, the gospel requires us to have no fellowship 
with the unfruitful works of darkness : — 

"5e it therefore resolved, That it is the duty of this church, in 
giving invitation to members of evangelical churches, to com- 
mune with us, to except all such as are guilty of the sin of 
slavery, as specified in the above preamble." 

It will be seen, from the above resolution, that this church 
early occupied advanced ground, in regard to our great national 
sin, and very early put its foot, with emphasis, upon it. It 
may also be said, that it has always been favored with pas- 
tors who have led it courageously, not only against this great 
evil, but also against that of intemperance. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 515 

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND PARISH. 

Since 1867. 

In the above sketch, of the two Congregational Societies and 
Churches connected with them, we have sought to give, as ac- 
curately and completely as the records and our space would 
permit, a true history of the more important events connected 
with these organizations. We are aware, that by some of our 
readers, the recital will be regarded as too long, too tedious, 
and withal, disproportionate to the space allotted to the other 
religious societies of the town. It should, however, be remem- 
bered, that the existence of one of the societies, whose history 
has now been given, reaches back to the date of the town's in- 
corporation, while the other covers a period of forty-eight years. 

Having now traced these two churches, the one from its be- 
ginning, in 1786, the other, from its divergence in 1830, to 
their confluence in 1867, we have now to record the history of 
the united parishes and churches, to the present time. The 
history of the union of the two parishes having been already 
given, on page 509 need not here be restated. 

At a meeting of the two churches, May 14th, 1867, the fol- 
lowing resolution was presented and adopted, viz. : — 

That the First Congregational Church and the Evangelical 
Congregational Church, in Gardner, unite and become consoli- 
dated, in one church, adopting the Articles of Faith and the 
Covenant of the Evangelical Congregational Church and the 
name of the First Congregational Church, in Gardner, and be 
connected with the First Parish, in said Gardner. 

Also, resolved, that this union be consummated by a mutual 
meeting of both churches, to be called at such time as the union 
committee may deem proper. 

AMASA BANCROFT, 
S. W. BANCROFT, 
C. K. WOOD, 
ALLEN FOLGER, 
C. WEBSTER BUSH, J 

C. S. GREENWOOD, 1 
WHEATON WILSON, | Committee of the 
MARO COLLESTER, } Evangelical 

THOS. E. GLAZIER, Congregation'l Church. 
HENRY LAWRENCE, J 



Committee 
> of the 

First Church. 



516 HISTORY OF GAliDNER. 

The first meeting, of the united parishes, was held May 30th, 
1867, at which, all necessary officers were chosen. As has 
already been stated, the first union service, of these churches, 
was held upon the first Sabbath in June, 1867. Various can- 
didates supplied the pulpit, for several months. November 6th, 
1867, the parish voted to concur with the church, in extending 
a call to Eev. Temple Cutler, ofiiering him fifteen hundred dol- 
lars a year, as salary. Mr. Cutler declined the call. Decem- 
ber 23d, same year, the parish united with the church in extend- 
ing a call to Rev. William Belden, offering him a salarj' of 
fifteen hundred dollars per year, to be paid quarterly, and two 
Sabbaths vacation. This call Mr. Belden accepted, in a letter 
bearing date January 4th, 1868, and was installed the 22d day 
of the same month. Rev. C. Blodgett, D. D.,of Pawtucket, R. 
I., preaching the sermon. Mr. Belden was dismissed March 
22d, 1869. 

June 23d, 18,69, the parish voted to concur Avith the church 
in extending a call to Rev. John E. Wheeler, to become their 
pastor, offering him a salary of two thousand dollars a year, 
payable quarterly, and granting him two Sabbaths vacation. 

Rev. John E. Wheeler was born in Amherst, N. H., Septem- 
ber 9th, 1833. He graduated at Amherst College, in 1857, 
and studied theolog}^ at the Connecticut Theological Institute. 
He was installed pastor of this church, August 25th, 1869, and 
closed his labors on the first Sabbath in July, in 1872. 

November 19th, 1873, the parish voted to concur with the 
church, in extending a call to Rev. F. A. Warfield, to become 
their pastor, offering him a salary of two thousand dollars, and 
the use of a parsonage, with a vacation of four Sabbaths. Mr. 
Warfield declined the call, which was renewed January 13th, 
1873, and was again declined. 

September 24th, same year, the parish concurred with the 
church in extending a call to Rev. W. D. Herrick, to become 
their pastor, with a salary of two thousand dollars annually, 
payable quarterly, and four Sabbaths vacation, with the use of 
a parsonage. This call was declined, in accordance with the 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 517 

advice of a council called at North Amherst, Mass., to advise 
the church and pastor, in regard to dissolving the pastoral re- 
lation, then existing between Mr. Herrick and the church, in 
that place. On May 15th, 1874, at a meeting of the parish 
called to concur with the church, in renewing the call to Rev. 
W. D. Herrick, "It was voted, yeas, seventy-six, nay, one, 
that we renew the call to Rev. Wm. D. Herrick, to become our 
pastor, with an annual salary of two thousand dollars, payable 
monthly, and the use of a parsonage, and that he have a vaca- 
tion of four Sabbaths." This call was accepted, by Mr. Her- 
rick, and he was installed, June 11th, 1874, since which time, 
he has remained pastor of the church and parish. 

It is due to the facts of history, to state, that at the com- 
mencement ot the union of the two churches and societies, the 
feeling existing between the hitherto separate peoples, was not 
as unanimous and cordial, as could be desired. Gradually, 
however, old lines of separation have become less distinct, 
while the era of brotherly kindness has come to be more and 
more prominent, till, at the present time, as great harmony, 
cordiality, unanimity and spirit of co-operation, exists, as can 
be found in any of our churches. It is true, indeed, that the 
church, since the union, has not been exempt from some degree 
of internal commotion and sharp contention, among its mem- 
bers, resulting, it may be feared, in the permanent disaffection 
of some, arising from cases of discipline, concerning which, 
there seems to have been a conscientious difference of opinion ; 
yet time, the great healer, is kindly doing its work, in effacing 
these unpleasant memories and bringing the membership, grad- 
ually, into " the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace." 

In 1875, the parish erected a parsonage, which is both com- 
modious and convenient, for which they voted the sum of six 
thousand dollars. This parsonage is located on Cherry Street, 
and is, at present, occupied by the author of this work. 

February 15th, 1878, on motion of Mr. Henry Heywood, it 
was " Voted, That the parish build anew church, on or near the 
site where the bell church now stands." The parish " Voted, 



518 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

That Charles Hey wood, Philander Derby, Charles W. Conant, 
Augustus Knowlton, Henry Hey wood, Gardner A. Watkins, 
Alvin M. Greenwood, be a building committee ; that they be 
empowered to decide upon the location and a suitable place for 
the proi^osed new church edifice, and to cause the same to be 
constructed as soon as, in their judgment, it may be properly 
done." 

Justice requires us to state that for nearly three months, pre- 
vious to the date of this parish meeting, Mrs. Alvin M. Green- 
wood, daughter of Mr. Levi Hey wood, and Mrs. Henry Hey- 
wood, voluntarily, took upon themselves, the task of raising, 
by subscription, a sufiicient sum of money, with which to erect 
the new church edifice, without incurring a debt upon the 
society. They entered zealously upon their work, till by 
energy, courage and perseverance, they at length had the satis- 
saction of seeing their labors rewarded, by the pledge, from 
responsible parties, of nearly thirty-two thousand dollars. Such 
ladies are worthy of special mention, in thus taking their places 
among "the honorable women, not a few." Many daughters 
have done virtuously, but they have excelled them all. 

The committee chosen to erect the new church edifice, have 
promptly and diligently tiiken up their work, and after having 
examined various plans, have adopted the one presented by Mr. 
James E. Fuller, architect, of Worcester. Ground was broken, 
for the church, upon parish land, at the head of the common, 
June 17th, 1878. The work will be completed and the church 
ready for dedication, sometime in June of the next year. The 
following is a description of the edifice : — 

The First Congregational Church Edifice is built in Gothic 
style, with steep slated roof, southern front of sixty-four feet 
by one hundred eighteen feet in length, having square tower at 
southeast corner, one hundred twenty-five feet high, containing 
clock with four dials. The material is brick, underpinning and 
steps of Roclqjort granite, with trimmings of Longmeadow 
and Ohio sandstone. It is lighted by stained glass set in lead 
sashes, a large Rose window adorning the front gable. It has 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 519 

four eutrances, two in front, and one on each side leading to 
auditorium and chapel. The main audience room is sixty-two 
by eighty-four feet, forty feet high, with open timber roof, 
decorated walls and ceiling, and wood finish of ash and black 
walnut. 

It has six hundred sittings facing the north end which is oc- 
cupied by the preacher's platform in the centre, choir and 
organ at his right, and pastor's room at his left. On both sides 
of this platform are passages to the chapel, which is thirty-three 
by sixty-four feet, containing lecture room, twenty-eight by 
thirty-two feet; infant class room, twenty by twenty-two feet; 
library, eight by ten feet; parlor, sixteen by twenty-four feet. 
In the upper story, are dining room, kitchen, lavatory, and all 
modern appurtenances, for social gatherings. The building is 
heated, by four furnaces, and piped throughout for gas. 

The entire cost of the church edifice, furniture and organ, 
will be thirty thousand dollars. When this work is completed 
this society, wath its parsonage and beautiful church, will be 
placed upon a permanent, prosperous and debtless foundation, 
with a grand opportunity for usefulness before it, in the years to 
come, as the parent church and society of the town. 

THE BAPTIST SOCIETY AND CHURCH. 

It is evident, from an examination of the records of the First 
Church, as kept by its pastor. Rev. Jonathan Osgood, that 
sentiments peculiar to close communion Baptists, began to man- 
ifest themselves, among some of his members, to his great an- 
noyance and grief, as early as 1813. Among those who were 
dissatisfied, with the tenet of infant baptism, so strongly held 
by the First Church and its pastor, were Mr. Sullivan Jackson 
and his wife, Sally. So great was the anxiety of the church 
and pastor, that these members should be convinced of the 
error of their ways, the church was stayed, after divine service, 
on May 7th, 1815, and a committee was chosen to converse 
with these uneasy individuals, and if possible, to induce them 
to return to the fold. At a subsequent meeting, this committee 



520 HISTORY OF GAllDNEB, 

reported verbally, " that they could not convince our brother 
and sister, Sullivan Jackson and Sally his wife, of their error." 
Whereupon the church requested the pastor to prepare a letter 
to be sent to said Jackson and his wife, which letter was pre- 
pared and laid before the church, and a copy ordered to be sent. 
This letter, as it lies spread upon the original church records, 
is filled with argumentation upon the question of infant baptism, 
aflfectionate entreaties to return, earnest avowals of a readi- 
ness to forgive past errors, and an assurance of continued love 
and fellowship. Still, as if already convinced that his words 
would be unavailing, Mr. Osgood says, "but if you persist in 
your error, we cannot but esteem it our duty, to withdraw our 
watch and communion from you ; not that we reject you, but 
still hope, that by the aid of divine grace, you will see the 
error of your waj^s, return to your duty, and renew your 
solemn vows to the God who m;ide you. If 3'ou do this we 
shall be read}^ and w^illing to receive and embrace you, as our 
brother and sister." 

Notwithstanding this entreaty, so tender and pathetic, Mr. 
Jackson and his wife Sally, as well as some others, sympathiz- 
ing with them, in their peculiar views, evidently refused to be 
reclaimed from " the error of their ways." Ceasing longer to 
worship with the First Church, they, with others, withdrew and 
for several years, attended the Baptist Church in Templetou, 
till, in the year 1827, active measures were taken by Mr. Sul- 
livan Jackson and nine others, to form a religious society, to be 
called "The Baptist Society in Gardner." The following 
record, declares the object w^hich these individuals had in view, 
which we here give as showing the basis and first action of this 
society : — 

We, the subscribers, impressed with the importance, of a 
preached gospel, and believing that it would be for our benefit 
and for the benefit of families and neighbors, to establish a 
Baptist Society, in the town of Gardner, of which we are in- 
habitants, do agree that we unite in a society, to be called the 
Baptist Society in Gardner, and it is our intention to organize 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 521 

this society, with the approbation and under the patronage of 
the Baptist Church and Society in Templeton, and to consult 
and co-operate with them, so far as circumstances will permit. 

Sullivan Jackson, Daniel H. Grant, 

George Scott, Joel Derby, Jr, 

Ezra Baker, Robert Poavers, 

Moses M. Gage, Asaph Foskett, 

Caleb Priest, Liberty Partridge. 
Gardner, May 25th, 1827. 

The parochial society, now connected with the Baptist Church, 
in this place, Avas legally organized, January 30th, 1828. Dea- 
con Sullivan Jackson was chosen moderator and Mr. George 
Scott, clerk, at whose house the parish meetings were held, for 
some length of time. The society set itself, at once, to the 
task of procuring preaching, and the necessary funds to sustain 
it. March 10th, 1830, they voted that " the money received, 
be laid out in preaching, on the Lord's day, at the house of 
Deacon Sullivan Jackson, for the year to come." March 9th, 
1831, they voted to raise money by subscription, and " that the 
money raised, be laid out in preaching, on the Lord's day, at 
the Southwest school-house, in Gardner." 

March 6th, 1833, the society chose Ezra Baker and Sullivan 
Jackson, a committee to hire preaching, and that this com- 
mittee procure a place of worship. This committee proceeded, 
at once, to the discharge of the duty assigned them, of erecting 
a house of w^orship, for the society, Avhich was completed in 
1833, at a cost of three thousand dollars, towards which, Sul- 
livan Jackson, George Scott and Walter Greenwood, were very 
generous contributors. This meeting-house is located in South 
Gardner, at the junction of Broadway and High Street. The 
society continued to occupy this meeting-house, till the year 
18'( 2, when, feeling that the place was " too straight " for them, 
they determined to enlarge and repair it, adding fifteen feet to 
its length, frescoing the audience room, furnishing new pews, 
cushions, pulpit and carpet. A commodious vestry, with ante- 
rooms, in the basement, was also supplied. A new spire was 



522 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

erected, in which was placed an excellent clock, thus making 
a neat and convenient honse of worship, at an expense of about 
seven thousand, five hundred dollars. This church was redodi- 
cated November 6th, 1872. 

In May, 1851, at the decease of Mrs. Mary W. S. Bradford, 
the society began to receive the benefit of a legacy of four 
thousand dollars, left by her former husband, Mr. Abijah M. 
Severy, the income accruing from three thousand, to be ex- 
pended in support of preaching, and the income of one thou- 
sand, for the support of sacred music in connection with the 
church and society. In addition to this, in 1870, Mrs. Susanna 
Stone, dying, left, in her will, a legacy of one thousand dollars, 
the income of which is to be expended in the support of 
preaching. At the time the meeting-house was repaired, in 
1872, a commodious dwelling house was built, near the church, 
by Deacon Marcius A. Gates, which has since been occupied as 
a parsonage. At the present time, the society is in a very 
flourishing condition. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The first movement looking to the formation of a Baptist 
Church, in Gardner, was in the year 1830, when twenty-three 
members of the Baptist Church, in Templeton, then residing in 
Gardner, represented, by letter, to the church in Templeton, 
"that they thought their number and circumstances such, it 
would be for their advantage and the general interest of the 
cause of Christ, to be organized into a distinct church." On 
the 15th of November, same year, an ecclesiastical council was 
convened at the house of Sullivan Jackson, in South Gardner, 
for the purpose of organizing and recognizing them as a Bap- 
tist Church. The council was composed of the Baptist Churches 
in Templeton, Westminster, Princeton and West Boylston. 
After duly considering the question, " Shall a church be con- 
stituted at South Gardner," the council voted to recognize them, 
as a Baptist Church, by public services, conducted in the South- 
east school-house. Rev. Abial Fisher preached the sermon, 
Eev. Appleton Morse, of Princeton, gave the right hand of 



HISTOEY OF GARDNER. 523 

fellowship, and Rev. Elisha Andrews gave the charge to the 
people. At the same time, Mr. Sullivan Jackson was ordained, 
as deacon of the church. The following is a list of the pastors 
of this church, from its organization, till the present date : — 

From May 1831, to March 1834, Rev. Samuel Glover: from 
March 1834, to April 1837, Revs. Winthrop Morse, Joshua 
Millett, John Holbrook, and Ransom O. Dwyer, a licentiate ; 
from April 1837, to June 1838, Rev. John Clapp ; from Au- 
gust 1838, to May 1840, Rev. Andrew Pollard; from June 
1840, to October 1842, Rev. William H. Dalrymple ; from Oc- 
tober 1842, to October 1843, Revs. Erastus Andrews and N. 
B. Jones; from April 1844, to November 1847, Rev. Josiali 
H. Tilton; from June 1848, to May 1849, Rev. B. H. Clift; 
from November 1849, to January 1853, Rev. Amasa Brown; 
from April 1853, to December 1860, Rev. R. K. Ashley; from 
February 1861, to May 18(54, Rev. Wm. H. Walker; from No- 
vember 1864, to April 1867, Rev. George W, Ryan; from 
October 1867, to April 1868, Rev. C. L. Thompson ; from Sep- 
tember 1868, to October 1870, Rev. Joseph Burnett; from 
October 1870, to July 1875, Rev. William Read; from Sep- 
tember 1875, to November 1877, Rev. S. T. Frost; from 
December 1877, to the present date. Rev. F. B. Sleeper. 

It will be seen, by the above list, that this church has never 
been long without a stated minister. The faithfulness of these 
pastors, is attested, by accessions to the church, yearly, both 
by profession of faith and by letters from other churches. Be- 
ginning, in 1830, with only twenty-three members, the church 
has gradually increased, till, at the present time, it numbers 
one hundred and fifty-nine members. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

According to the best information, which we have been able 
to obtain, the Catholics, of Gardner, were first temporarily 
organized in 1863, by the Rev. Thomas Bannon, then resident 
pastor of Templeton, and other missions. Previous to this time, 
as far back as 1856, the Catholics, of this town, attended ser- 



524 HISTORY OF GAEDNFE. 

vices at Otter River, with an occasional visit from the pastor of 
the mission, Rev. Edward Turpin, then resident of Fitchburg. 
In the summer of 1856, Father Turpin celebrated the first mass 
in Gardner, at the residence of Mr. Patrick Carney. In 1863, 
so greatly had the number of Catholics increased wdthin the 
mission, that it was found necessary to divide it into two divi- 
sions. Rev. Thomas Bannon was appointed pastor of the North 
division, and was located at Otter River, where a small church 
had been erected. Havins; ascertained that the number of 
Catholics, in this town, were about three hundred, he deemed 
it advisable to organize them into a congregation, to whom he 
ministered, by public services, in the Town Hall, at least once a 
month. Here he formed a Sunday school, and laid the founda- 
tions for the present, permanent and prosperous organization. 
Having served his people for two years and a half, he was 
obliged, by ill health, to resign his position, and was succeeded 
by Rev. William Orr, who himself, shortly after, was obliged 
to retire Irom the mission, on account of the severe labors in- 
cident thereto. In 1871, so great was the work required, it 
became uecessar}' again to divide the mission. 

The Rev. Dennis C. Moran is now pastor of the parish com- 
prising Winchendon, Gardner and Ashburnham. He is a man 
of great energ3% zeal and perseverance, as is evident from 
his efforts in organizing the present Catholic Society, and in 
erectins their new church edifice. Under his care, a church 
debt society was formed for the purpose of accumulating a fund 
which should, at some future day, be so increased as to warrant 
the erection of a church edifice. The people became imbued 
with the same spirit which animated their pastor, and almost 
every Catholic contributed his ofiering to this desired object. 
Some time previous to the erection of the church, a great fair 
was held, in aid of this project, contributions of money and 
articles of value being freely given, by all classes, the Protes- 
tants, themselves, contributing liberally. The receipts amounted 
to thirteen hundred dollars, which, added to the amount already 
accumulated, placed the society on a permanent financial basis. 



HISTORY OF GARDJSTEE. 525 

In the fall of 1873, a site for the new church edifice was pur- 
chased on Cross Street, upon which, work was immediately 
begun. The church was completed and ready for occupation, 
December, 1874, at a total cost of twenty-six thousand dollars. 
It has a seating capacity of seven hundred. Mass was first 
celebrated in this church, on Christmas day, 1874. 

It is proper to state, in this connection, that the Catholics 
have a cemetery located in the westerly part of the town, on 
the road to Otter River, which has been consecrated to the 
burial of their dead. 

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 

In 1864, Rev. Jacob Baker, while acting as Universalist State 
Missionary, began preaching the distinctive doctrines of Uni- 
versalism in Gardner. On the 4th of June, of the same year, 
a society was formed and the following preamble was adopted, 
together with a brief constitution : — 

PREAMBLE. 

Desirous of discharging all proper obligations, and being im- 
pressed that the true, Christian element is designed to draw the 
members of the human family into friendship in society, and 
that God asks the devotion of the heart, and the homage of the 
world : Therefore, the better to co-operate with the spirit of 
our Lord, we organize a religious society, and pledge our 
united efibrts as far as possible to support and further its prin- 
ciples. 

At a meeting held March 7th, 1865, the parish committee 
were instructed to secure the ser\'ices of Mr. Baker one-half the 
time for the ensuing year. He continued his labors with the 
society, and did much toward sowing the seeds of the " Larger 
Hope" broadcast. He was a strong advocate and able defender 
of Universalist principles. 

On the 19th of March, 1866, the society extended a call to 
Rev. Harrison Closson, to become their pastor. He preached 
one-half the time, till January, 1867, when the society secured 
his undivided services. 



526 HISTORY OF GAlWJSrFB. 



CHURCH ORGANIZATION. 

A church wtis organized on the evenmg of April 23cl, 1868, 
and publicly recognized with appropriate exercises, on the first 
Sunday in June following. At the first meeting, which was 
held at the home of the pastor, the covenant formerly held by 
the First Congregational Church, was adopted M'ith the addition 
of scripture quotations from the first chapter of Ephesians, 
making it more distinctly Universalist in sentiment. The or- 
ganization was to be known as The Church of the Unity and 
Restoration. The following covenant was afterwards adopted, 
expressed assent to which should be essential to membership in 
the church : — 

COVENANT. 

"VVe believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New 
Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of 
the duty, interest and final destination of mankind. 

We believe in the existence of an all-perfect God, who has 
done, is doing, and will still continue to do all that infinite love 
can prompt, all that infinite wisdom can devise, and all that in- 
finite power can execute, to save every soul from sin, and train 
all to holiness, without doing violence to human freedom. 
That being perfect in wisdom, knowledge and love, and having 
already converted, regenerated and saved some of the most 
ignorant and hardened unbelievers, and the most wicked sin- 
ners of earth, he will continue his work of redemption until all 
souls are converted, regenerated and saved. 

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son, and sent of God, 
the mediator between God and man, and the delegated Saviour 
of the world. We accept his precepts as the rule of our life, 
and his doctrine as our hope and comfort. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, as the spirit of truth and love, 
which is sent forth into all the world to guide men into all 
moral and religious truth. 

We believe in the necessity of faith and repentance; that we 
must break ofi" our sins by righteousness and our iniquities by 
turnino; to God. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 527 

We believe that holiness and true happiness are inseparably 
connected, and that believers ought to maintain order and prac- 
tice good works, for these things are good and profitable unto 
men. 

Rev. H. Closson was installed as pastor of the church on the 
23d of June, 186'J, Rev. A. A. Minor, D. D., of Boston preach- 
ing the sermon. Under the ministry of Mr. Closson, the 
church and society grew and prospered. Continual additions 
were made to their numbers, until a large and influential parish 
was built up. Toward the close of his labors, in the spring of 
1871, an effort was made to further improve the place of wor- 
ship, services being held, at this time, in the " bell meeting- 
house." A portion of the society wished to remove the build- 
ing and to tit it up thoroughly. Others desired to build a new 
church. But .ditficulties arose, mistakes were made, and no 
definite plan of action was agreed upon. The result was, the 
organization became for a time impaired. 

During the next three years, there was no stated preaching. 
But many of the society, remembering their rapid growth and 
prosperity, in the past, still cherished hopes for the future. 
Under the inspiration of these hopes, they went forward to 
carry into eflect the idea of building a church. Land was given 
for the purpose by Mr. William S. Lynde, an aged gentleman 
and devoted friend of the society. A building committee, con- 
sisting of Ezra Osgood, Benjamin M. Carruth and Amos W. 
Goodnow, was chosen. The new edifice was completed, in the 
spring of 1874, and dedicated on the 26th of May, of the same 
year. Rev. T. E. St. John of Worcester, preaching the sermon. 
Dedicatory prayer was olEFered by Rev. J. V, Wilson of Brigh- 
ton, and Rev. E. Maguire of Fitchburg gave the address to the 
church and parish. 

Rev. R. T. Sawyer was called, as pastor, shortly after the 
dedication of the church, and remiiined with the society for 
three years. Several members were added to the church while 
under his charge. 

Rev. E. A. Read, the present pastor, commenced his labors 
with the church, the first of July, 1877. 



528 HISTOEY OF GARDJ^ER. 

The society is at present united and prosperous. The names 
of one hundred families are upon the roll. Many of these are 
active, earnest workers. Since the formation of the church 
lifty-eight persons have been received into membership. The 
society has always recognized the value and influence of woman 
in its work, and justly so, for she has been its best ally. At an 
early date after the society's organization, the ladies, anxious to 
share the burden with their brothers and hubbands, organized 
a social circle, through which they have always worked with 
untiring zeal. 

The Sabbath School was instituted shortly after the organiza- 
tion of the society, in 1864. From a small beginning it has 
grown to take its proper place, and do its share of religious 
work, for the children of the community. It has a library of 
over five hundred volumes. 

The present valuation of church property, including a hall 
owned by the society, is about twelve thousand dollars. In 
1877, a house costino; nearly two thousand dollars, was erected 
for a parsonage, upon land belonging to the society and in close 
proximity to the church. This is owned by two members of 
the parish, Avho will hold it until the society is able to purchase 
it, at cost. 

The following is a sketch of those who have served this 
church as pastors : — 

Rev. Jacob Baker, who started and organized the society in 
1864, was the acting pastor for two years. 

Rev. Harrison Closson was the first settled pastor. He com- 
menced his labors in March, 1866, and continued with the peo- 
ple until the spring of 1871. He was born in Northampton, 
July 23d, 1828, was a member of the Edward's Church, from the 
age of fifteen years, until his conversion to Universalism. He 
was educated in the High School, in his native town, where he 
prepared for college. He afterwards took an independent 
course, in the classics, and gave three years to the stud}' of 
Theology, with a clergyman. He was ordained over the Uni- 
versalist Church, in Oxford, in 1855. He is at present settled 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. ^ 529 

over the Universalist Church in Marblehead, where he has been 
jDastor for seven years. 

Rev. Royal Tyler Sawyer was called, as pastor, in the spring 
of 1874, and served the society for three years. He was born 
atMt. Holly, Vt., April 25th, 1848. He received his early 
education at the common and High School, and commenced 
teaching at the age of sixteen. The following season, while act- 
ing as clerk in Worcester, Mass., and attending the Methodist 
Church, he became interested in reliijion. On returninir to 
Vermont, he joined the Baptist Church of his native town. In 
the winter of '69-70, by a careful study of the scriptures, he 
embraced the principles of Universalism and joined the Univer- 
salist Church in Chester, where he was ordained April 25th, 
1871. His first settlement was in Cavendish, Vt., where he 
remained one year. He then went to Tufts Divinity School 
and graduated in 1873. The following winter he supplied the 
pulpit in Marlboro', N. H., and the next spring accepted the 
call from Gardner. He is settled at present in South New- 
market, N. H. 

Rev. Ephraim A. Read, the present pastor, commenced 
his labors with the church, the first of July, 1877. He was 
born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, in 1846. Received 
a common and grammar school education at home, and studied 
the languages in the High School of his native town. He came 
to the United States in 1868, and entered Dean Academy, 
Franklin, Mass., where he remained about six months; after- 
w^ards he entered St. Lawrence University, taking a full course 
in the Divinity School, from which he graduated in 1870. His 
first settlement was in Alstead, N. H., where he was ordained 
March 2d, 1871. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

In revicAving the history of the Baptist Church, of this town, 
Ave have found it to be, in some sense, an outcome, in the per- 
son of Sullivan Jackson and others, of the First Congregational 
Church, then under the care of Rev. Jonathan Osgood. We 

67 



530 ^HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

slmll tilso find the same to be true of Methodism, "which seems 
to have had its beginning in Mr. Samuel Stone, who early 
exhibited a preference for that form of worship. As has 
been stated, in the former part of this chapter, the law re- 
lating to religious societies, in the latter part of the last cen- 
tury, gave to every man the privilege of worshiping, with what- 
ever Christian denomination he preferred. It only required 
him to bring a certificate from the minister, or officers of the 
society where he worshiped, to the Town Clerk, who was then 
clerk of the First Parish, that he regularly attended the church 
of his preference, and freely contributed to its support. In 
accordance with this law, we find this certificate, upon the Town 
Records, vol. 1, page 290 : — 

This may certify that Samuel Stone of Gardner, attends 
public worship with the Methodists, in Ashburnham, and freely 
contributes to the support of their ministry. 
Signed in behalf of the society, 

Phillip Wagkr, Elder. 
Gardner, February loth, 1797. 

Attest, Reuben Haynes, Toion Clerk. 

We also find upon the same page, the following : — 

Gardner, in Massachusetts, March 20th, 1798. 
To all ioho7n it may concern: This is to certify that Simon 
Stone, of this town, attends the public worship of God, amoiig 
the people called Methodists ; and contributes to the support of 
their ministry. 

Signed in behalf of the society. 

Smith Weeks, Minister. 
Attest, Reuben Haynes, Toivn Clerk. 

Whatever may have been the motives, leading Mr. Samuel 
Stone to withdraw from the First Congregational Church, we 
are not sufBciently well informed to state with certainty. It 
has been said, by those still living, who derived their informa- 
tion from those noAV dead, who were acquainted with the facts, 



HISTORY OF GARDJ^EE. 531 

that Mr. Stoue withdrew from the church and parish through 
soDie personal disaffection toward the pastor. It appears, from 
the records of the First Church, that previous to April 14th, 
1797, Mr. Stoue and his wife Martha had requested a dismission, 
from the First Church, upon which, the church took action, which 
is recorded in the following words, bearing the above date : — 

"After much conversation, and many observations being 
made, the church voted not to dismiss Samuel Stone and 
Martha Stone." May 4th, 1797, the church " Voted, That a 
letter be prepared and laid before the church, for its approba- 
tion, to send to Mr. Samuel Stone and his wife." May 19th, 
the church met, according to adjournment, to hear the letter 
prepared b}- the pastor, to be sent to Mr. Samuel Stone and 
wife. We quote this letter, of Mr. Osgood to Mr. Stone, in 
behalf of the church, as indicating the sorrow they experienced 
and the solicitude and earnest entreaty which they manifested 
on the departure, of any of their numbers, to other churches 
of Christ : — 

To Mr. Samuel Stone and Mrs. Martha Stone: 

We the church of Christ, in Gardner, feel ourselves grieved 
that you, members of our body by the most solemn covenant 
obligations, have broken off from us, without any sufficient 
grounds, and by so doing, our Divine Master is wounded in 
the house of his friends. We earnestly solicit you, as in the 
fear of God, duly to consider the motives, on which you act and 
whether they are such as will justify you, before that God, who 
searches the heart, or whether your conduct is not such as the 
apostle speaks of as causing divisions and offences contrary to 
the doctrine which ye have learned. 

We are fully willing that all persons should enjoy the liberty 
of conscience, and are quite free, to hold communion with all 
regular churches of other denominations, differing from us, 
only in the non-essentials of Christianity, but, as you have 
broken off from us, in an irregular manner, we esteem it our 
duty to withdraw our watch and communion from you, but have 



532 . HISTORY OF GARDNFli. 

still hope that you will perceive your error, and return to your 
duty. If you do this, we shall be fully willing and ready to 
receive and embrace you, as our brother and sister. In the 
name and behalf of the church. 

Jonathan Osgood, Pastor. 

It is probable that about this time, the influence of the 
eccentric Lorenzo Dow, began to make itself felt, in this 
region, since we find the following entry in his journal of Oc- 
tober 22d, 1796 : " I spoke in Hardwick, to about four hundred 
people, thence to Petersham and Winchendon, to Fitchburg, 
and likewise to Notown, where God gave me one spiritual child. 
Thence to Ashburnham, where we had some powerful times." 
On his way from Winchendon to Ashburnham, he would 
naturally pass near the residence of Mr. Samuel Stone, who 
then lived upon what is now the town farm, and at whose house 
he may possibly have preached. That a Methodist society ex- 
isted, as early as the year 1800, in this town, is evident from 
the following record : — * 

We, the subscribers, Henry Eames, public teacher of a 
society of the religious sect or denomination called Methodists, 
in the town of Gardner, and Ebenezer Richardson and Samuel 
Stone, committee of said society, do hereby certify that Simon 
Stone doth belong to the said society, and that he, as the case 
may be, frequently and usually, when able attends with us, in 
our stated meetings for religious worship, and doth contribute 
to the said preacher. 

Done at Winchendon, September 5th, 1800. 

Henry Eames, ^ 

Samuel Stone, > Committee. 

EiJENEZER Richardson, } 

Attest, Reuben Haynes, Toivn Cleric. 

In 1826, Gardner was included in the Ashburnham circuit, 
then embracing Ashburnham, Winchendon, Northfield, Orange, 

*Town Kecords, vol. 1, p. 332. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 533 

Montague, Wendell, Rojalston, Warwick, Athol, Templeton 
and Gardner. The preacher, then upon this circuit, was 
Rev. John E. Risley and the Presiding Elder, Rev. John Lind- 
say. 

In 1827, quite an extensive revival occurred, in this town, 
originating in the southeast district, which, had its good effects, 
upon all parts of the town. The Baptist Societ}', which was 
formed this year, with Mr. Sullivan Jackson at its head, was 
greatly quickened, while it is said that the impulse of this re- 
ligious interest was perceptible, in the preaching of the pastor 
of the First Church and, in those to whom he ministered, 
causing the Hues between Unitarianism and Orthodoxy, to be 
more closely drawn, and resulting probably, in the secession of 
the more Evangelical portion of that church in 1830. 

The meetings, from which this interest spread, were held at 
the house of Mr. George Scott, whose name appears as one of 
the founders of the Baptist Society. It is said, a young 
Methodist girl, who had come from a neighboring town, to 
sojourn for a while, attracted considerable attention, by her 
singing of Methodist hymns, in these meetings, which served 
to draw the curious, to listen to her, who were thus interested 
in Spiritual matters. 

Although the few Methodist people residing in Gardner, held 
services infrequentl}', and occasionally enjoyed preaching by 
ministers of their own denomination, they took no measures 
looking to the formation of a church, till the year 1869. In 
February and March, 1869, Rev. William P. Blackmer, then 
pastor of the Methodist Church, in East Templeton, preached 
a few sermons, in the Lower Town Hall. A committee was ap- 
pointed, and a paper circulated, upon which, money enough 
was soon subscribed, to make it reasonably certain, that preach- 
ing could be sustained, and a pastor was asked for. March 
24th, 1869, the New England Conference appointed Mr. Black- 
mer to Gardner, which thus became again an appointment, in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Blackmer was born at 
Norwich, Conn., January 29th, 1830, and was licensed to 



534 HISTOliY OF GARDINER. 

preach at North Brookfield, Mass., December 8th, 1854. He 
was Captain of the 13th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. 
The church was formall}^ organized July 3d, 1869, by Rev. 
Loranus Crowell, the Presiding Elder of Worcester District, 
with a membership of eighteen and a Sunday School ot fifty. 

In April, 1870, Rev. W. M. Hubbard was appointed to this 
church, to which he ministered successfully for three years. 
Mr. Hubbai'd was born in Unadilla, N. Y., in 1816. He was 
licensed to preach at Hatfield, Mass., in 1849. Up to the date 
of Mr. Hubbard's pastorate, the church was without a place of 
worship of their own. Such was their growth, however, that 
a church edifice was demanded, for the procuring of which, the 
members of the church and their friends, devoted their utmost 
energies. Mr. Lewis H. Graham donated a site, for a church, 
on West Street. In the early summer, of the same year, there 
was erected, upon this spot, a Chapel, which was eighty by 
fifty feet, which was dedicated September 14th. 

In April, 1873, Rev. Daniel Atkins became the pastor of this 
church, where he continued for three years. Mr. Atkins was 
born at Truro, Mass., August 16th, 1824, and was licensed to 
preach at Gloucester, Mass., January 18th, 1851. 

In April, 1875, Rev. Seth C. Carey received the appointment 
to this church, to which he ministered for three years. Mr. 
Carey was born in Hebron, N. Y., June 1st, 1838; and was 
licensed to preach at Hebron, N. Y., in 1865. He graduated 
at the School of Theology of Boston University, in 1869. He 
was, for three years, in the union army, from 1862 to 1865, 
with the rank of 2d Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant. 
He was in ten battles, besides skirmishes. During the ministry 
of Mr. Carey the need of enlarged accommodations, began to 
force itself upon the attention of the people, and the building 
of a new church, became a question of duty. In the summer 
of ]876, a member of the church presented the society one of 
the most eligible lots on Chestnut Street. This was accepted, 
and September 20th, ground was broken for a new church 
edifice fifty by eighty feet, with a spire one hundred and thirty 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 535 

feet in height. The church has <a seating capacity of six hundred. 
It is of wood and is a model of neatness, convenience and sim- 
plicity. It was dedicated August yth, 1877, Bishop Randolph 
S. Foster, of Boston, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The 
organ, bell and tower-clock, were presented by members of 
the church and friends of the society. The entire cost of the 
church, including land and furnishings, was a little less than 
thirteen thousand dollars. 

The present pastor, of this church, is Rev. William D. 
Bridge, who was born in Duxbury, Mass., February 23d, 1840. 
He grauated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., July 
20, 1861. He was licensed to preach at Middletown, Conn., 
February 15th, 1861. Since its commencement, in 1869, this 
church has enjoyed a steady growth. Its membership, is actively 
devoted to the legitimate objects of church work. Its pastors 
have ever been diligent and faithful, in their calling, and have 
all had the satisfaction of seeing their work prospering under 
their hand. With their present church accommodations, the 
Methodists in this place, have a reasonable prospect of success, 
in view of which, they have great reason to rejoice and take 
courage. 

We have sought to give, in this chapter, a faithful chrono- 
logical delineation of each religious church and society, accord- 
ing to the facts which we have been able to obtain. We take 
pleasure in recording our gratification, that Gardner is so abun- 
dantly supplied with church accommodations at the present time. 
May the zeal and devotion of the fathers, continue to live in 
their children; "that our sons may be as plants grown up in 
their youth ; that our daughters may be as corner stones, pol- 
ished after the similitude of a palace." 



i 



JUL -0 I5I..2 



' I 



